Removal of RSE/RE opt-out in Wales

[Daniela]

Hi there,

The Welsh government recently announced that parents could no longer withdraw their children from relationships and sexuality education and religious education in schools from 2022. The Education Act 1996 says that an opt-out must be allowed for sex education (section 405) and the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 section 71 says the same for religious education. Both of these Acts were passed before devolution of education to Wales.

So...my question is: how is the Welsh government going to remove the right of withdrawal if this is required by law?

Will they make a direct change to the law resulting in 2 separate Acts, one for England and one for Wales, or will they go about this some other way?

Any ideas? Thanks!

[des8]

At the moment is only consultative, but already concerns are being raised from all quarters, especially those of specific faiths (including humanists)

Pupils in a faith school could be subjected to religious instruction that favours a particular faith-based perspective. Under human rights law, this may constitute indoctrination and may breach the rights of parents and pupils to freedom of religion or belief and so could be unlawful.

Regarding the power of Welsh Assembly to legislate I refer you to the Government of Wales Act 2006

[alansadler]

Hi there,

The Welsh government recently announced that parents could no longer withdraw their children from relationships and sexuality education and religious education in schools from 2022. The Education Act 1996 says that an opt-out must be allowed for sex education (section 405) and the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 section 71 says run 3 the same for religious education. Both of these Acts were passed before devolution of education to Wales.

So...my question is: how is the Welsh government going to remove the right of withdrawal if this is required by law?

Will they make a direct change to the law resulting in 2 separate Acts, one for England and one for Wales, or will they go about this some other way?

Any ideas? Thanks!

At the moment is only consultative.
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