40% of parents unaware that children can opt out of religious education

SCOTTISH schools are failing to make parents aware that they can have their child opt out of religious education, according to a new report.

Research by YouGov, which was commissioned by the Humanist Society Scotland, found almost 40 per cent of parents are unaware their child does not have to take part in religious lessons or observance.

In a poll of 1000 parents with children aged 5 to 16, only 20 per cent reported originally learning of their rights from the school. A total of 41 per cent found out through friends, parents or another route that was not their school.

The rest, 39 per cent, were unaware they have the right remove their child from religious and moral education classes and religious observance.

Only four per cent of parents wanted a single religion taught in schools, while 71 per cent wanted some level of variety in the beliefs covered, according to the research. A further 18 per cent wanted religion removed from schools altogether.

Clare Marsh, the Humanist Society Scotland’s education officer, said: “For many years we have heard parents complaining about the schools not making them aware that they have the right to elect their child opts out but the problem is bigger than we thought. It is unacceptable that nearly two out five parents are unaware of their rights when it comes to the moral and spiritual upbringing of their children.”

She added: “We are asking the government and local authorities to ensure that people are aware of the rights and that there is a balance in religious and moral education to reflect a modern inclusive Scotland. Children should hear about religion but this should sit alongside other belief and non-belief approaches.”