Alliance Party welcomes Supreme Court judgement on RE as 'a welcome recognition of diversity in wider society'

The provision of Christian religious education in Northern Ireland schools does not comply with human rights standards and is unlawful, the UK Supreme Court has ruled.

In a landmark judgment, the court upheld an appeal brought by a pupil at a Belfast school and her father and reinstated an earlier court ruling that the teaching of RE and collective worship breaches human rights as it does not approach the subject in an “objective, critical and pluralist manner”.

The pupil, known as JR87, was at a controlled primary school in Belfast in 2019 when, as part of the curriculum, she took part in non-denominational Christian religious education and collective worship.

Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA has said the Education Minister must now provide guidance for schools on religious education.

He added that it was “not about pitting faith against secularism, but rather ensuring schools are inclusive spaces that recognise and respect all value systems – both religious and non-religious”.

The Strangford MLA stated: “This is a welcome recognition of diversity in wider society and provides clarity on an issue which has been the subject of significant debate over the last number of years.

“It is important to underscore this ruling will not mean the removal of religious education from schools, but does mean there will have to be some change to ensure a more objective, critical, and pluralistic approach which respects the rights of families of all faiths and none.

“Alliance recognises the right to both freedom of, and freedom from religion, and fundamentally respects the right of parents to bring their children up in keeping with their beliefs and convictions. No aspect of this judgement should impact on this right.

“It's vital that we now take time to reflect on the judgement and have a mature and respectful discussion on how we can ensure our schools are truly inclusive spaces for all. The Education Minister must provide clarity on the next steps to ensure the judgement can be reflected in education policy in an open, pluralistic and inclusive manner that respects and protects the rights of everyone.”