HC Deb 23 February 1967 vol 741 cc1933-5
12. Dr. David Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for introducing into primary and secondary schools courses in the principles of humanism as an alternative to religious instruction.

The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Anthony Crosland)

Sections 25 to 29 of the Education Act, 1944 lay down certain requirements about religious instruction in maintained schools. I have no legal power myself to dictate what should or should not be included in the school syllabus.

Dr. Kerr

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a growing tendency among parents, and indeed, among school children, to look askance at the value of religious instruction as it is now given in schools? Would he take steps to recognise that the ethics of humanism are not in any way antithetical to the religious instruction which is now given in schools? Would he, perhaps in consultation with one of his advisory councils, consider whether something could be done to promote alternatives to present religious instruction?

Mr. Crosland

If my hon. Friend is saying that there is strong objection to the principle of religious instruction in schools, I do not think that this would be generally correct, if we took into account public opinion as a whole. Where, however, my hon. Friend is right is in saying that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction at the way this instruction is often now given. On this, as he will know, the Plowden Committee gave us a considerable amount of advice, which I am considering along with the Committee's other recommendations.

Mr. John Hall

Would not the Secretary of State agree that the objective of his hon. Friend has been largely attained by the fact that religious instruction in many schools is in the hands of teachers who are either agnostics or atheists?

23. Mr. Peter M. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will encourage other local authorities to follow the lead of the Inner London Education Authority to encourage teachers of religious instruction to attend courses on humanism.

Mr. Denis Howell

This is a matter for local education authorities to decide for themselves.

Mr. Jackson

Would my hon. Friend not agree that some of the agreed syllabuses now permit the teaching of comparative religion and humanism, that it is very desirable that teachers of religious instruction, most of whom are Christian, should know something about comparative religion and humanism, and that the Ministry should encourage attendance at such courses?

Mr. Howell

I certainly agree that there should be the widest possible knowledge of all ethical and moral matters by all teachers. It is also desirable to bear in mind that it is not for Ministers and politicians to tell teachers what they shall teach or how they shall teach it.