NSS calls for change as RE “least useful” subject again

The National Secular Society has called for a rethink of religious education as polls again reveal the subject's unpopularity.

A poll last month revealed religious education (RE) to be one of the least popular school subjects, with over a quarter (28%) of those surveyed naming RE the least useful subject. Twenty-six per cent said they would remove it from the school curriculum.

In contrast, 88% said more needs to be done to educate children on personal finance. Sixty-three per cent of teachers said managing money should be added to the school curriculum.

The findings, from a survey of 2,000 adults via OnePoll on behalf of Discount for Teachers, are consistent with other recent research on RE. Last year a YouGov poll found 58% of Brits consider it not very important (31%) or not at all important (27%) to teach religious studies at secondary school.

A separate survey last year found 34% of academies in England do not include RE on the school timetable.

RE in England is regularly criticised as out of date and failing to be broad, balanced and inclusive.

It is the only compulsory subject that is locally determined, largely by religious interest groups. It is even less balanced in faith schools, which teach the subject in accordance with the religion of the school.

Some proponents of RE have resisted attempts to make it more balanced, inclusive and relevant by replacing it with a 'religion and worldviews' subject, similar to recent reforms in Wales. Two practitioners recently announced the creation of the 'Religious Education Network', which "rejects the downgrading of religion into just another world-view".

NSS: Replace RE with "more relevant and useful" subject

NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said the latest statistics support the growing concern that RE is "an outdated and unpopular subject area with no clear educational rationale".

He said: "It's no surprise that teachers and the wider public are wondering whether it wouldn't be better to replace RE with a subject which teaches more relevant and useful skills to the next generation.

"There is value in children and young people learning about a plurality of religions and beliefs. But a subject dedicated to religion is not necessary to achieve this.

"Education about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, moral and political virtues such as civility and tolerance, and respect for human rights including freedom of religion or belief, will nurture greater harmony and social cohesion. These values should be promoted throughout our state schools.

"An outdated model of RE isn't the appropriate vehicle for this."

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