‘Religion, Values and Ethics’: new Welsh curriculum includes compulsory atheism
- RE to be absorbed into “Religion, Values and Ethics”
- Compulsory atheism lessons for all pupils
- Christianity could be marginalised with no limit on atheistic teaching
- ‘Humanists’ set to control RE across Wales with their veto power
The existing good framework covering Religious Education in Wales is to be scrapped and replaced by arrangements that can be controlled by atheists and those personally opposed to religious faith.
The Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams, is pushing an education Bill that requires all pupils to study atheism or “non-religious” views such as Humanism. The subject of Religious Education (RE) is to be absorbed into Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). Under the Bill, teaching about Christianity could be marginalised as there is no limit on the percentage of time within RVE devoted to beliefs such as atheism or Humanism.
Parents currently have a right of withdrawal on RE. But now that atheism is to go on the syllabus, the right of withdrawal is to be ended! The new subject is mandatory. A committee of “non-religious” representatives is to be set up in each area which will have the power of veto over any religious teaching in schools in their Council area. In practice, humanists will be handed control over religious teaching in schools.
These plans have been overwhelmingly rejected in public consultations.