BHA: Education Minister reveals raft of meetings with religious groups

The schools minister Nick Gibb MP has revealed that Department for Education ministers frequently meet with religious groups, and have not met once with non-religious representatives from the British Humanist Association (BHA) since the election. The BHA described the government’s meetings only with religious representatives as a ‘worryingly exclusive policy’ at these crucial times for education.

In response to a parliamentary question tabled by Dr Julian Huppert MP, a Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, Mr Gibb disclosed details of meetings with religious organisations, including three with the Church of England’s Education Division, three with the Catholic Education Service and two with the Board of Deputies of British Jews. By contrast, the BHA’s three formal requests to meet with ministers were either ignored or turned down.

BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented: ‘The coalition government has already implemented some of the most radical changes to the schools system for many years, and is set to announce yet more reforms with the publication of a new education white paper. It is particularly concerning that, at this time of great upheaval, education ministers seem unwilling to meet with the BHA, while holding a number of private meetings with the churches. Education is far from being a concern only of the religious but the failure to include non-religious representatives indicates a worryingly exclusive policy by the Department.’

‘With the increase in new ‘faith’ academies and free schools, the scaling back of Ofsted and the narrowing of the national curriculum, there will be fewer and fewer safeguards to guarantee broad and balanced teaching in all schools and to protect children even from extreme religious agendas. It is absolutely vital that we meet with ministers to discuss the reforms needed to ensure that schools and curricula are inclusive of pupils and staff, whether religious or non-religious.’

NOTES

For further information or comment contact Andrew Copson on 07534 248 596 or andrew@humanism.org.uk.

The full written answer is available to view online at www.publications.parliament.uk

The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination. The BHA has a decades-long history working in education, not only working for inclusive schools but also developing and providing resources for teachers, parents and pupils on curriculum subjects including RE and Citizenship Education. Andrew Copson represents the BHA on a number of educational boards, including the Religious Education Council (REC) and the National Council of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education (FBFE).