Proposals to amend legislation on religious observance in schools

Date: 19th November 2024
Category: Civil Rights and Freedoms

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Deadline: 26^th January 2025

The Scottish Government is seeking views on proposed changes to current legislation on religious observance (RO) and religious and moral education (RME) in schools.

The proposals would require that children and young people’s views are taken into account in relation to their participation in RO and RME.

The consultation follow calls from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child made to the UK and devolved governments last year. The UN Committee called on governments to repeal laws on compulsory religious worship and to grant children a right to withdraw. Currently, only parents and carers can withdraw their child from religious observance, but there is no equivalent right for children and young people.

• Click here to read Together’s position as stated in our 2023 State of Children’s Rights Report.
• Click here to access the consultation.