Think-tank only trying to help

5th March 2004, 12:00am

Share

Think-tank only trying to help

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/think-tank-only-trying-help
Though I was at the Institute for Public Policy Research seminar which set off an explosion of comment last week, much of it ill-informed, I did not hear a government representative telling the meeting that its proposals were unhelpful, as stated in The TES article by Margaret Holness (February 20).

The seminar and report were not intended to be unhelpful; those present were largely positive about RE and its potential, and the discussion and report should be treated as legitimate and possibly useful contributions to an important discussion. It would obviously be helpful if people read the report before commenting on it.

Margaret Holness was also wrong in saying that most standing advisory councils on religious education, include humanist representatives. Only around 50 out of more than 160 in England and Wales include humanists, and in most cases those are co-opted and voteless.

Marilyn Mason

Education officer

British Humanist Association

1 Gower Street, London WC1

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared