News
YouGov poll says public endorses high quality RE
Posted by: Rosemary, 11 June 2012
New research published today reflects public endorsement for high quality Religious Education (RE) in our schools. Good quality RE is widely understood to be at risk of being squeezed out of the curriculum despite it being highly valued. This new research shows over half (53%) of all adults in England and Wales who gave an opinion say RE should remain a compulsory subject. 58% agreed it is beneficial for all pupils to participate in RE lessons. This rose to a majority (63%) among 18-24 year olds.
Today’s research on attitudes to RE was conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC) and results are announced as MPs prepare to attend the first meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on RE. The views of all those who expressed an opinion on RE are:
- Over half (53%) of all adults in England and Wales think that RE should remain a compulsory subject in state funded schools
- 58% think it is beneficial for pupils to study RE
- The above two percentages rise to 63% in each case among 18–24 year olds
- 1 in 2 adults think RE provides a valuable space in the school day where young people can learn about all religious and non-religious beliefs
With religious and non-religious diversity increasing, these figures reflect the value adults attach to young people being able to articulate their own beliefs, as well as engaging with, respecting and understanding others. 50% of those who gave an opinion said RE was an essential component of a multi-faith society, as it promotes mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. This rose to over half among 18-24 year olds (52%) and 25-34 year olds (56%). In contrast, only 9% said they thought it was ‘harmful’ for pupils to study RE and only 13% thought it should not be taught in schools at all.
Higher support among younger adults.
RE has been on the curriculum since 1944 and in that time has changed from Biblical study to include world religions and non-religious worldviews. For children and young people, RE is an important opportunity in the school day when they are taught to recognise and respond to the challenges of growing up in a diverse, multi-cultural society. The research uncovered especially positive views of RE from those with most recent experience of school:
- Of those with an opinion, 60% of full time students agree RE is essential to a multi-faith society (a rise on 50% of all adults)
- 65% of full time students agree that it is beneficial for pupils to study RE (a rise on 58% of all adults)
In response to the survey and its findings Ed Pawson, chair of the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) said:
‘It is heartening to see this opinion poll confirming what RE teachers have known for a long time: that RE works! Good RE provides young people with the invaluable opportunity to articulate their own beliefs and gain a greater understanding of the beliefs and values of others.’
