A new law that would give children a stronger voice in decisions around their participation in religious education and observance in Scottish schools is open for public consultation.
The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee today launched a call for views on a government-backed proposal that could reshape how schools handle parental requests to withdraw pupils from religious activities.
Right to withdraw
Under the bill, schools would be legally required to inform pupils if their parent or carer has asked for them to be withdrawn from religious education or observance. It would also grant pupils the right to express their views - and, if capable, to object.
If a pupil objects to the withdrawal and is deemed able to form a view, schools would be obliged to honour the pupil’s wishes.
However, the bill has been criticised by education directors for failing to make “a clear distinction” between religious observance (RO) and religious and moral education (RME) when considering if pupils should have more of a say whether to opt out.
They have said the proposals would allow children to opt out of learning about religion - not just of practising it.
Scotland’s children’s commissioner Nicola Killean has criticised the bill for not going far enough, because the proposed new law does not allow children to exercise the right to withdraw independently.
Bigger say for pupils
Committee convener Karen Adam said that, as well as giving children more of a say over taking part in religious education or observance at school, the bill also aims to “update how public bodies, like councils and schools, make sure they are respecting children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child”.
She added: “We want to hear what people across Scotland think about these changes. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, pupil or just interested in children’s rights, we want to understand how these proposals might work in practice and what impact they could have.”
The call for views will run until Monday 1 September.
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