---
title: "RE to become ‘Religions and Worldviews’ under Welsh Government proposals"
date: "2019-10-03T10:02:32+01:00"
modified: "2019-10-03T10:02:32+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2019/10/03/re-to-become-religions-and-worldviews-under-welsh-government-proposals/"
post_id: 80777
categories: ["News", "Wales"]
---

# RE to become ‘Religions and Worldviews’ under Welsh Government proposals

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/iStock-670712598.jpg?resize=350%2C233&ssl=1)The Welsh Government [today announced](https://gov.wales/welsh-government-working-teachers-parents-and-students-ensure-learners-have-access-broad-and) it will consult on a range of education reforms, including renaming religious education (RE) to ‘Religions and Worldviews’.

Wales Humanists, which campaigns for inclusive RE and relationships and sexuality education (RSE) and has previously [provided submissions](https://humanists.uk/2019/04/16/wales-humanists-pushes-for-more-inclusive-re-and-rse/) to the Welsh Government on proposed curriculum reforms, has said that this is a positive move toward inclusive teaching.

Other proposed changes include [objective RSE lessons for all children](https://humanists.uk/2019/10/03/welsh-government-proposes-objective-rse-for-all-with-no-right-to-withdraw) with no parental right to withdraw, which Wales Humanists also welcomes; but also, alarmingly, [parents losing the right to opt their children out](https://humanists.uk/2019/10/03/welsh-government-to-propose-scrapping-the-right-to-withdraw-from-re-in-faith-schools) of instructional, ‘faith-based RE’.

The proposed rename comes after the Government announced earlier this year [it would change the law on RE](https://humanists.uk/2019/01/28/welsh-government-to-change-law-on-school-re-to-include-humanism/) to include the teaching of humanism on an equal footing to the major religions and brings Wales into line with the recommendations of the landmark [Commission on RE report](https://www.commissiononre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Final-Report-of-the-Commission-on-RE.pdf) that proposed such changes in England.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams justified the move by saying: ‘“Religions and Worldviews” better reflects teaching practice within the new curriculum, and allows for the exploration of a range of religious and philosophical beliefs, as well as other beliefs and worldviews, including non-religious worldviews.’

**Wales Humanists coordinator Kathy Riddick commented:** ‘The move to rename Religious Education (RE) to the more inclusive title of Religions and Worldviews is a hugely welcome step toward ensuring that Welsh children receive a well-rounded education about different religions and humanism that does not seek to impose one perspective on pupils but instead helps them to understand the range of beliefs that people hold.’

**NOTES:**

For more information contact Humanists UK press manager Casey-Ann Seaniger at <casey@humanists.uk> or 020 7324 3078.

[Read the Welsh Government announcement](https://gov.wales/welsh-government-working-teachers-parents-and-students-ensure-learners-have-access-broad-and).

[Read about the Welsh Government’s move to change the law on RE to include humanism](https://humanists.uk/2019/01/28/welsh-government-to-change-law-on-school-re-to-include-humanism/).

[Read about Wales Humanists’ response to the previous consultations](https://humanists.uk/2019/04/16/wales-humanists-pushes-for-more-inclusive-re-and-rse/).

[Read more about Wales Humanists’ work on religions and worldviews](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/current-campaigns/religious-education/).

Wales Humanists is a part of Humanists UK, the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 85,000 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 benefiting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.