Wales Humanists has today responded to a consultation by the Senedd Children, Young People and Education Committee on the implementation of education reforms. It has highlighted the contradiction between continued requirement for daily acts of collective worship and the rest of the school day being required to be objective and pluralistic. The implementation of the new curriculum is well underway but daily acts of Christian worship are still required.
Wales Humanists also highlighted the need to make sure schools comply with the relationships and sexuality education (RSE) code and the religion, values, and ethics (RVE) guidance. Compliance is vital to support individual rights as the right to withdraw has been removed. Faith schools must not be permitted to overstep in denominational education and the independent inspection and reporting on this has not yet been determined. The guidance published for Catholic schools teaching RSE is not compliant with the RSE code and needs to be challenged by Welsh Government.
Wales Humanists Coordinator Kathy Riddick commented:
‘In 2018 the Education Minister said that statutory collective worship raises many human rights concerns, including children’s rights, but that there needed to be a focus on implementing the new curriculum first. Five years on, the new curriculum has been fully implemented in all primary schools and yet there is still no plan to repeal the outdated collective worship legislation. We ask that Welsh Government act on this immediately to make assemblies inclusive of all beliefs, not just of one faith that no longer represents the majority of the population.’
Notes:
For further comment or information, media should contact Wales Humanists Coordinator Kathy Riddick at kathy@humanists.uk or phone 07881 625 378.
Read our full response to the Children young People and Education Committee
Download our guides for non-religious parents in English and Welsh.
Read more about humanism being taught in all schools in Wales.
Read more about our work on faith schools, collective worship, RE, Understanding Humanism, and Creationism/Evolution.
Wales Humanists is part of Humanists UK. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by 100,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.