Religion in Schools - Draft Policy Document

A discussion document

Further to my discussion document I would like to think that following a discussion a group of atheists, committed to secular education could fairly easily compile a policy document e.g. :-

Aims:

The aim would be to produce an educational system that is non-sectarian and inclusive – and does not discriminate against pupils, staff, parents or the wider community on grounds of religion or belief.

Objectives:

Further establishment of ‘sectarian schools’ in the state sector should be stopped.

Educational bodies and Human rights legislation should be required to openly support  the  rights of children to honest, unbiased and objective education in schools, public and private.

All schools should have to comply with employment rights law not to discriminate against teachers on grounds of religion or personal gender/lifestyle/status - exceptions for the religions should end.

Local Education Authorities should be required to draw up plans and timetable to integrate the schools in their areas to remove selection based on parental religion. (asap i.e.within a ‘reasonable’ time – to be defined*)

The responsibilities of School Governors should include ensuring the rights of children, teachers and parents, not to suffer discrimination on religious grounds in selection, syllabus or curriculum. (No child should need to be ‘opted-out’)

In the interim, good alternatives* should be provided for children currently 'opted out'.

School Assemblies should not include any material that could be construed as the promotion of supernatural beliefs (including religion) or any other party political or sectarian beliefs.

School Assembly should be entirely inclusive and not contain references to religion..

Any religious content in the syllabus or curriculum, whatever its label (RE, RE) , must be non-sectarian and must include non-belief perspectives (NRP) i.e. It must be unbiased and factually correct.

On no subject should opinion or belief without evidence be taught as fact, it may be discussed within that context, along with critiques e.g. religious doctrine, creationism & sex education.

How to bring this about needs the concerted effort of all those who are against the indoctrination of children in schools drawn together  by the secular humanist organisations, involving individuals, groups, and journals - working together - starting from an agreed basis of aims and objectives.

*These are some of the items on which further discussion is needed.

Sue Mayer

Campaign for Secular Education - Draft Policy Document 08/08