The Accord Coalition has welcomed that a GCSE Religious Education (RE) subject criteria consultation, launched today, proposes to require the study of at least two religions. At the moment Ofsted does not inspect the teaching or content of RE in most faith schools, while the GCSE exam system facilitates those schools wishing to pursue a narrow approach by enabling them to only provide RE modules about its faith or denomination.
Chair of the Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, said ‘The more children understand traditions apart from their own, the more they will be able to integrate into British society. Muslim and Jewish pupils, for instance, should know about Christianity. They do not have to believe in it, but they should be familiar with its teachings and the way it has helped shape modern Britain. It is a matter of improving both general knowledge and social cohesion.
Ideally, British pupils should be conversant with all the major belief systems in Britain today, and it is of great sadness that some religious bodies have opposed the proposals. Their official argument is that there would not be enough time to do justice to two faiths, but it is hard not to suspect they are more concerned about preserving the state of mono-vision in which they seek to cocoon children at faith schools. That does not reflect well on their confidence in their own beliefs, nor is it in the best interests of the children whom they should be preparing to take their place in wider society.’
Whilst totally supporting the Accord Coalition, it is disappointing that you have not criticised the apparent exclusion of atheism or, particularly, humanism as one of the examined areas that are proposed. As you have previously shown it is important not to exclude significant elements of society’s viewpoints.
Kind regards
Keith