HC Deb 08 February 1994 vol 237 cc172-3W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the names of those who made submissions in response to the draft circular on religious education and collective worship x/94, published in October 1993; and when he expects to publish the results of his consultation.

Mr. Robin Squire

My right hon. Friend has received 327 submissions in response to the draft circular on religious education and collective worship: 108 from LEAs or standing advisory councils on religious education; 62 from church or religious groups; 134 from educational groups; and 23 from other groups and individuals. Individual submissions received are treated as sent in confidence. It would therefore be inappropriate for my right hon. Friend to list the names of those who sent them, or to publish them. The comments received were taken into account in the final circular 1/94, published on 31 January.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what provisions he will make for the teaching of humanism as part of religious education; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Robin Squire

Religious education concerns the development of children's knowledge, understanding and awareness of religious beliefs and practices; the encouragement of respect for those holding different beliefs; and the development of the ability to make reasoned and informed judgments about religious and moral issues.

Humanism is not a religion and should not be taught in religious education lessons as if it were. A syllabus may, however, include teaching about people, such as humanists, who do not believe in God but nonetheless have a code of moral values, or give examples of secular equivalents to practices which have a religious background such as the marriage service or the taking of an oath. The detailed content of an agreed syllabus for religious education is decided by a local agreed syllabus conference.

Lady Olga Maitland

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has had regarding the publication of the model syllabuses for religious education.

Mr. Robin Squire

My right hon. Friend, has received 24 letters from members of the public since the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA) published its draft model syllabuses for religious education on 25 January. The SCAA has invited comments on the models during a consultation period of two months.