The Department of Education in Northern Ireland is reviewing the core Religious Education syllabus. It has also issued Guidelines on withdrawal from Religious Education.
The Review follows the recent UK Supreme Court judgment in relation to JR87. That found that the current religious education syllabus does not provide religious education in an objective, critical, and pluralistic manner, in accordance with Article 2 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention.
The Circular Letter in relation to withdrawal from Religious Education applies to all publicly funded schools in Northern Ireland.
Contrast with schools in the Republic of Ireland
Here in the Republic, we are still campaigning for the right to respect for our philosophical beliefs under Article 2 of Protocol 1, and access to education and teaching for our children that is objective, critical and pluralistic.
Schools here are not legally obliged to ensure this minimum human rights standard.
- Schools and patron bodies make us reveal our philosophical beliefs and give reasons for withdrawal.
- The right to not attend religious instruction is stigmatising. Our children are left sitting in the religion class and there are no non-discriminatory exemptions.
- All Patron bodies claim that their religion and beliefs courses are suitable for all children and none of them provide any non-discriminatory exemptions. None of the religion and belief courses are objective, critical and pluralistic.
- The state claims that the religious education course at second level is suitable for all students and provides no non-discriminatory exemptions.
Every day our children leave their human rights at the school gate. The Department of Education refuses to even apply the law as it stands.
The Review of religious education in Northern Ireland
- The relevant terms of reference for the review ensure that any updated religious education syllabus will be objective, critical, and pluralistic, and in accordance with human rights law.
- The purpose of this is to ensure respect for the religious and philosophical beliefs of all families from various backgrounds. This was the key legal issue that arose in the case at the N.I courts and at the Supreme Court in the UK.
- The course will be inspected to ensure that it is objective, critical and pluralistic.
Removing Christianity as a main focus was never the purpose of the case at the Supreme Court. The case was firmly set in the fact that children do not have access to an objective, critical and pluralistic education and the case has achieved that.
The Guidelines on withdrawal from religious education
The new Guidelines on withdrawal from religious education apply to all schools in Northern Ireland. Parents will have an unqualified right to remove their children from religious education and worship, even if it is objective, critical and pluralistic. That right to withdrawal also includes withdrawal from prayers, hymns and any religious ceremonies.
The arrangements for withdrawal will be inspected by the Department. The Department intends to legislate to enable inspections to take place.
Schools will be required to show evidence that they are complying with these guidelines.
- Parents are informed at admission and annually of the right to withdraw and of the school’s arrangements.
- Withdrawal is facilitated through a simple, confidential form, without reasons.
- Requests are granted immediately and confirmed within five school days.
- Partial withdrawal is permitted.
- Schools have appropriate, non-stigmatising alternative arrangements in place.
- Withdrawn children should participate in meaningful, supervised alternative activities (for example, quiet study, reading or other supervised activities).
- A confidential register is maintained.
- Collective worship is not the primary vehicle for school-wide communication.
- Non-religious school gatherings are held at least once per term.
Summary
The Department of Education in Northern Ireland is reviewing the core Religious Education syllabus to ensure objective, critical, and pluralistic education, following a ruling at the UK Supreme Court.
Schools in the Republic of Ireland are not legally obliged to ensure this minimum human rights standard. Atheist Ireland continues to campaign for a secular state education system that respects the philosophical convictions of all parents.