Ex-UK official urges abolition of compulsory worship in schools
Britain’s former education secretary calls for the abolition of worship at UK schools.
Compulsory congregational daily acts of worship in state schools should be abolished, according to the former education secretary, Charles Clarke.
In his report published by Westminster Faith Debates, Clarke called for a number of changes to be made to the educational system, including a modern national syllabus for religion and has suggested the name ‘religious education’ should be changed to ‘religious and moral education’.
Religion in schools must be re-inspected “in the light of contemporary beliefs and practices, illuminated by the latest research”, he said. “On this basis we propose a new educational settlement which can better foster genuine understanding of modern religion and belief, and allow young people better to explore their own and other people’s religious and non-religious beliefs and come to their own conclusions.”
The former Labour MP and education secretary who served from 2002 to 2004 said the new religious and moral education syllabus should be outlined by the education secretary and a newly created advisory council consisting of a team of experts on religion and education.
A Department for Education spokesman said, “Religious education is vitally important to help children develop the British values of tolerance, respect and understanding for others. It prepares young people for life in modern Britain and that is why it remains compulsory at all key stages. All locally agreed RE syllabuses must be broad, balanced and reflect the teaching and practices of principal religions.”
“Faith schools are an important part of our diverse education system, allowing parents to choose to have their child educated in line with the tenets of a faith. Existing faith schools can choose to give priority to children of their own faith if they are oversubscribed. However, all newly created faith free schools and academies may only prioritise half their places according to faith if they are oversubscribed. Parents can rightly withdraw their children from all or any part of RE in all schools.”
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