Our CEO Fraser Sutherland speaking at an event in front of a Humanist Society banner, wearing a blue suit. A headline snip reads "Exclusive: SNP ministers accused of creating 'bizarre inequality' on religious worship in schools"

The Scottish government has chosen to discriminate against non-religious pupils with its new religious observance bill

Joe Higgins, Policy and Campaigns Officer

May 6, 2025

The Scottish government’s new bill on religious observance in schools discriminates against non-religious pupils. Our Policy and Campaigns Officer Joe Higgins explains more.

Last week the Scottish Government unveiled new legislation on religious observance in schools. In his final programme for government before next year’s election, the first minister is expected to confirm that the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill will be passed by Spring 2026.

Up to now, the right to withdraw from religious worship has been reserved to parents. Pupils have no equivalent right, no matter their age, maturity, or personal beliefs.

Under the government’s plans, non-religious school pupils who want to opt-out of religious worship would still require their parent’s permission. Bizarrely, the only proposed change would see children given the right to opt-in if their parent tries to withdraw them.

This bill highlights the absurdity of the government’s continued opposition to a pupil opt-out. In attempting to find a middle ground, ministers have ended up with plans that discriminate against atheists, agnostics, and humanists.

In pressing ahead with this bill, ministers seem to be suggesting that the views and beliefs of religious pupils are more worthy of respect than those of non-religious pupils. We are clear that the decision to take part in religious observance should be for young people to make, no matter their (or their parents’) beliefs.

To make matters worse, the government is also weakening its landmark children’s rights legislation, less than a year after it received Royal Assent, in order avoid these changes facing legal challenge.

This bill highlights the absurdity of the government’s continued opposition to a pupil opt-out. In attempting to find a middle ground, ministers have ended up with plans that discriminate against atheists, agnostics, and humanists and undermine their commitment to realising children’s rights. The government needs to listen to the Children’s Commissioner and the United Nations and end compulsory religious worship in schools once and for all.

This story was reported in The Scotsman.

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