HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 c162W
32. Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that secondary school pupils are provided with the opportunity of passing GCSE and A-level courses in religious studies; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

A range of syllabuses in religious studies is available to schools at both GCSE and A-level. It is for schools to decide what courses to offer their pupils, but I would urge schools to give pupils who wish to do so the opportunity of taking religious studies at GCSE and at A-level.

69. Mr. Gow

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to improve the quality of instruction in the Christian religion in primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Education Reform Act secures the place of Christianity in the religious education and collective worship provided by county schools. The Government are supporting expenditure of £53.2 million by LEAs in 1990–91 on in-service training for the basic curriculum—which includes religious education—and collective worship.