On 24 January, International Day of Education, we submitted our views to a Scottish Government consultation on religious observance in schools. We told ministers to respect school pupils’ beliefs be allowing them to opt out of religious worship. Our Policy and Campaigns Officer Joe Higgins explains more.
Religious worship in Scottish schools
Schools in Scotland are legally required to provide religious observance (worship) on a “sufficiently frequent” basis. In practice, this usually takes the form of a religious service or presentation by a faith leader. When developing religious observance, government guidelines encourage schools to consider Scotland’s diverse faith and belief landscape. Sadly the reality is altogether different. In non-denominational schools, religious observance is still mostly delivered by Church of Scotland clergy.
New bill, same problem
Back in November, the Scottish government announced a new bill on religious observance that it says will ensure children’s rights are respected in the law. This follows the passage of landmark UNCRC (United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child) legislation in 2024, which requires devolved public services to embed childrens’ rights in everything they do. If passed, the bill would enshrine school pupils’ right to share their views on religious observance into law. It would not, however, allow pupils to opt out of religious worship without their parents’ consent.
A voice but no choice
In our response to the government, we highlighted that reserving the right of withdrawal to parents is deeply problematic. As is the case today, young people would have a voice, but no choice. Under the current set-up, school pupils, no matter their age, maturity or personal beliefs, are deemed incapable of making a decision on attending religious observance. Parents’ views are used as a proxy for their childrens’. And the wrongheaded notion that parents are entitled to dictate their child’s beliefs and ideas is reinforced by legislation.
By not giving school pupils the choice to opt out of religious worship, the government’s proposals fail to comply with their own children’s rights legislation. The status quo infringes on children and young people’s right to be heard (Article 12) and freedom of thought, religion or belief (Article 14) under the UNCRC. This assessment is shared by the children’s rights charity Together Scotland, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Pupil opt-out rights now!
Humanist Society Scotland is calling for the full implementation of a pupil opt-out model for religious observance across all of Scotland’s schools. All children will form their own beliefs and perspectives as they grow up. That is their fundamental right and should be respected by parents and school authorities in every case.
If you agree, please consider responding to the government consultation which ends this Sunday (26 January) at midnight. Ministers are especially keen to hear from current and former teachers, parents, school staff and pupils on their experience of religious observance. We’ve produced a short guide on how to share your views with the government.
Support our campaign work, make a donation today
Our campaign work is funded by the generous support of our members and supporters. Support our campaign work and help to create a fairer Scotland and world.
Join us!
Your membership will help to fund our campaign work to make Scotland a more secular, rational, and socially just country, and to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to humanist ceremonies to mark important life events.
Latest Related Stories
June 29, 2026
Dear Kate, Scotland doesn’t need to be saved by “Biblical truths”
June 29, 2026
Kate Forbes speaks at “anti-woke Davos”, calls for defence of Judeo-Christian values as basis of democracy
May 19, 2026
Humanist Society interview series: Leon Langdon of Humanists International on Christian nationalist money in our politics
May 14, 2026