HC Deb 10 June 1985 vol 80 cc330-1W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that sufficient religious education specialists are employed in secondary schools.

Mr. Dunn

Responsibility for the recruitment and deployment of teaching staff rests with the local education authorities. My right hon. Friend has sought to ensure through the planning of intakes to initial training that there is an adequate supply of suitably-trained religious education specialists to meet the demands of schools; and he has no evidence to indicate that demand is not being met. He has also given every encouragement to the employers to keep under review the match between the qualifications and deployment of teachers already in the schools so that provision may be made at an appropriate standard.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is deemed to be the minimum appropriate time to devote to religious education in fourth and fifth years of secondary schools.

Mr. Dunn

The content and duration of religious education are matters for local decision, in the light of the relevant statutory provisions and, where appropriate, the terms of the relevant agreed syllabus; the Department has not sought to issue guidance on the allocation of time to religious education.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that enough time is allocated to religious education in composite courses.

Mr. Dunn

The organisation of religious education within the curriculum is a matter for individual schools to decide, in the light where appropriate of the terms of the relevant agreed syllabus. If religious education is provided as part of an interdisciplinary course it is important that the religious education component should be given an identifiable and explicit treatment.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of Her Majesty's Inspectorate's recent report on religious education, what action he intends to take to ensure that all schools will now offer religious education in the fifth and fourth years to all pupils, in line with the requirements of the Education Act 1944.

Mr. Dunn

The Education Act 1944 requires religious instruction to be provided in every county school and every voluntary school, and specifies that religious instruction in county schools and, subject to the provisions of the Act, in controlled schools shall be given in accordance with an agreed syllabus which has been locally determined. The 1944 Act does not lay down a minimum scale of provision of religious education for pupils in particular school years.

We have made clear that we look to local education authorities to ensure that the statutory provisions are met; and we hope that parents who are concerned about religious education provided in a particular school will take the matter up with the school's head-teacher, and if necessary with the local education authority and ultimately with my right hon. Friend.