Education Minister Paul Givan has emphasized that the recent ruling by the UK Supreme Court regarding religious education (RE) in Northern Ireland does not invalidate existing legislation. In a letter addressed to school principals, Givan urged them to continue teaching RE based on the Holy Scriptures, stating that the court’s judgment from last week “has not struck down existing legislation.”
The Supreme Court’s verdict concluded a long-standing case initiated by an anonymous father and daughter from Belfast. The court determined that RE in Northern Ireland had not been delivered in an “objective, critical and pluralist manner,” and found that the Christian-focused syllabus was unlawful. Following the ruling, Givan acknowledged the complexity of the decision but reiterated that schools still have a legal obligation to conduct collective worship assemblies daily.
In his correspondence, Givan noted that his department is considering reforms to the RE syllabus in light of the ruling. He stated that while schools must adhere to current legislation, the area of collective worship “requires further consideration.” The Supreme Court also indicated that the right of parents to withdraw their children from RE lessons and worship could create an undue burden on those who object.
The judgement, delivered on October 25, 2023, came after the High Court in Belfast had previously ruled that the Christian-based RE was unlawful in 2022. The subsequent appeal by the Department of Education was initially successful, but the Supreme Court unanimously allowed the father and daughter’s appeal and dismissed the Department’s cross-appeal.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education stated, “We will carefully consider the complex judgement and its implications and will provide advice to schools in the near future.” Givan has confirmed that the Department is seeking further legal advice to fully understand the implications of the judgement.
In his communication with schools, Givan stressed the importance of continuing religious education based on the Holy Scriptures. He expressed that “the area of collective worship requires further consideration,” and acknowledged that while parents retain the right to withdraw their child, the current arrangements must comply with legal standards.
The Supreme Court ruling also highlighted that the case “is not about secularism” in education and clarified that there is no suggestion that RE should be eliminated from schools. Givan pointed out that the judgement recognized Christianity as the predominant religion in Northern Ireland, maintaining that the majority of RE would still focus on Christian teachings.
The response to the ruling has been varied among political and religious leaders. Unionist politicians, including members from the DUP and TUV, expressed disappointment, with TUV leader Jim Allister calling the verdict “deeply disturbing” and an affront to the Christian foundations of the education system. Allister urged Givan to safeguard Christian values in schools, echoing sentiments from Michelle McIlveen, a former Education Minister, who described the ruling as “deeply disappointing.”
Conversely, Boyd Sleator, leader of Northern Ireland’s humanists, viewed the ruling as an opportunity for the Department of Education to revise and enhance the curriculum. Bishop Donal McKeown from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools noted that Northern Ireland has evolved significantly since the last core curriculum was established, suggesting that this presents a chance to renew the RE curriculum for a progressive society.
As the discussion around the ruling continues, Givan reassured school principals during an Assembly session that traditional practices, such as Nativity plays, can persist. He stated, “We have parents contacting schools demanding that Nativity plays are cancelled… I can give an absolute, categorical answer: Nativity plays can continue to take place within our schools.”
The ongoing conversation regarding religious education in Northern Ireland reflects broader debates about inclusivity, tradition, and legal compliance in educational settings. Givan’s upcoming guidance for schools aims to clarify these issues as the Department navigates the implications of the Supreme Court ruling.
