Education Secretary Michael Gove has admitted that Religious Education (RE) has “suffered” in schools as a result of government reforms.
Seminar
Speaking at a Church of England seminar, Mr Gove said that he was mistaken in his belief that the subject was “protected” simply because it was included in the National Curriculum.
"If I'm being honest, over the last three years I've thought, 'Well that's protection enough', and therefore I've concentrated on other areas," he said.
"I think RE has suffered as a result of my belief that the protection that it had in the curriculum was sufficient, and I don't think that I've done enough."
Improve
He said that he is looking to work with the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church to "improve the quality and celebrate great religious education teaching."
He added that the Department of Education and religious groups would “work to exemplify what is the very best practice to encourage others to follow it.”
Criticism
The comments come amid criticism that a series of government policies, including the decision to exclude RE from the English Baccalaureate, had lowered the status of the subject.
The Bishop of Oxford and chairman of the Church of England's Board of Education, Reverend John Pritchard, told Mr Gove that the policy, alongside others, had "been quite demoralising" for RE teachers and supporters.
RE teachers have also complained that pupils are ditching the subject for those included in the Baccalaureate, and that less students are now choosing the subject for GSCE.
A study by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education revealed earlier this year that 40 per cent of RE teachers have “inadequate access to continuing professional development.”
Welcome
John Keast, chairman of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, said: "We welcome this first indication that Mr Gove finally recognises that there is an issue.
“RE is a popular and academically rigorous subject, however this government's actions are resulting in fewer specialist teachers, lessons being cut and exam entries going down."
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