In a guest post, Professor Russell Sandberg looks at the latest instalment in the continuing saga of religious education…

The Scottish Parliament has published the delightfully snappily-titled Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill following a consultation on amending the law on religious observance in schools (on which I have commented previously).

Section 9 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 gives parents the right to withdraw their children from both “religious observance” and “the provision of instruction on religion”. Like similar provisions in other parts of the UK, this law has been criticised by the United Nations on the basis that it does not adequately protect the right of children to have their views considered in matters that affect them and their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Continue reading →