Primary teacher Javed Love opts out of RE and joins Northern Ireland Humanists in helping others do same
A Northern Ireland primary school teacher has opted out of teaching RE to children - and has partnered with Northern Ireland Humanists in a bid to guide other teachers in how to do the same.
Javed Love has spoken out after using a little-known legal right to withdraw from delivering Religious Education and Collective Worship in a controlled school, solely on grounds of conscience.
In November the Supreme Court judged that RE in NI schools does not does not approach the subject in an “objective, critical and pluralist manner”.
The case was brought by a pupil at a Belfast primary school whose parents objected when she came home and began to pray grace before meals – as she had been taught in school.
The court found this crossed the line from education into "indoctrination".
However it also said that "Christianity is the most important religion in Northern Ireland" and affirmed that both RE and assemblies should continue to “focus” on Christianity.
Education Minister Peter Givan wrote to schools soon after, as some parents demanded that religious assemblies be suspended.
He reminded schools “that both Religious Education and collective worship continue to be a legal requirement” – and that he is working on new guidance.
He also affirmed the court's judgement that both assemblies and RE should continue to focus on Christianity - citing the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1986.
According to Northern Ireland Humanists, however, the judgement prompted Mr Love to opt out of providing RE to his primary school class.
Mr Love said: "Because of their exclusively Christian content, I felt that both delivering RE and conducting or attending Collective Worship would signal to pupils that, as their teacher, I endorsed Christianity - and only Christianity - and that did not sit comfortably with me.
"As a parent, I’m very aware of how inadequate withdrawal can be in practice, and as a teacher I know how much pressure that system places on families.
"The Supreme Court recognised that even the act of opting out can expose sensitive aspects of parents’ private lives. It’s difficult to see how a system that’s inadequate for parents could be adequate for teachers."
NI Humanists pointed out his opt out right is a conscience clause at Article 22 of the Education and Libraries (NI) Order.
He said that a teacher wishing to withdraw must apply to the Board of Governors and submit a statutory declaration stating the request is made ‘solely on grounds of conscience’, witnessed by a solicitor or notary at the teacher’s expense.
He is now partnering with Northern Ireland Humanists to guide other teachers in how to do the same.
Mr Love says the process "can be intimidating, particularly given church involvement in governance structures in controlled schools".
His request was approved and he now provides alternative activities for pupils withdrawn from assemblies. He describes this as the highlight of his week - and has published a template statutory declaration for other teachers.
Boyd Sleator, Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator, said: “Javed’s experience shows how rights can exist on paper but be practically invisible. If teachers don’t know these protections exist, and schools don’t foster a culture of openness, those rights are effectively meaningless.”
The Department of Education and DUP were invited to comment.