Northern Ireland: Reaction to Christian RE ruling
Nicola Laver
The ruling that the teaching of Christian religious education in Northern Ireland is unlawful marks a further “step away from the strong Christian foundations” that have shaped UK education, the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) is warning.
In November, the Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that RE and collective worship is not “objective, critical, and pluralistic” and amounts to “indoctrination”. However, they reinforced the principle that “parents are primarily responsible for the education and teaching of their children”.
Tyndale House undertakes big development
Emily Pollok
Tyndale House, home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Biblical scholarship, is building a new, state-of-the-art library three times its current size.
The evangelical Cambridge-based research centre, which was established 80 years ago, has long outgrown its current library, built in 1956. Tyndale House Principal Peter Williams, explained the need for expansion: “For at least three decades we have been running out of space for books in our library and having to come up with ever more creative ways of fitting more in.” Williams added: “We’ve now demolished that library and by God’s grace are building the largest building permitted in our central Cambridge location. This will enable us to continue to expand our physical collection of books, as well as provide increased desk space, an auditorium and space to run multiple events concurrently.”
Changes to religious education recommended
Nicola Laver
Religious education in England and Wales should be brought into the national curriculum, a review has recommended. It also says the age limit for compulsory RE should be dropped to 16 rather than 18.
While report authors acknowledge the importance of Christianity in British culture, they say: “RE can be controversial and contentious” and should be moved to the national curriculum.
The case of JR87: Faith in education?
The role and place of religion in the education system in Northern Ireland is currently under scrutiny in light of a case currently being considered by the UK Supreme Court – the case of JR87.
The case centres on a child who attended a primary school in Northern Ireland with a Christian ethos. When the child in question started repeating a prayer at home before eating, one that she had learnt at school, and began asking questions about God and religion, her parents voiced their concerns to the school, namely that the education that their daughter was receiving did not conform with their own religious or philosophical convictions.