Some have expressed disappointment while others have welcomed the decision on RE education in NI schools
Northern Irish political parties have spoken out following the UK Supreme Court decision that NI RE education in schools is “unlawful”.
The ruling was made after a case was brought to the court by a non-religious father (“G) and his daughter (JR87), following the original judgement in the High Court of Northern Ireland in 2022 that said “religious education and collective worship are not conveyed in an objective, critical, or pluralistic manner in Northern Ireland [schools].”
The Northern Ireland Department of Education then appealed at the Court of Appeal last October. It ruled that while the RE curriculum was not objective, critical, or pluralistic, this was not sufficient to conclude there had been a breach of human rights law as this didn’t amount to indoctrination. The Court also ruled the right to withdraw was not stigmatising.
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The father and child then appealed this decision to the Supreme Court, which has now ruled that a curriculum not being “objective, critical, or pluralistic” and its being “indoctrinating” are “two sides of the same coin.”
The Court also ruled that the right of withdrawal is clearly stigmatising in a context where no other children are withdrawn.
Phoenix Law, who represented the father and daughter, said overturning the ruling of the Court of Appeal restores “essential safeguards for children from non-religious, minority, or non-Christian backgrounds educated in Northern Ireland’s state-funded schools.”
The ruling has received a mixed reaction from NI political parties, with some welcoming the ruling and others expressing their disappointment in it.
DUP Deputy leader Michelle McIlveen said: “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is deeply disappointing. While we respect the Court and the legal process, this ruling will concern many parents, governors, teachers and faith communities across Northern Ireland for whom the ethos is so important.
“For generations, Christian values have shaped the moral character of our school system. Through assemblies, school activities and the everyday life of the classroom, those values have helped form young people with integrity and respect for others.
“That heritage is not something we apologise for, nor is it something we are prepared to see diminished.”
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said: “We are very fortunate in Northern Ireland to have an Education Minister who understands the importance of those Christian foundations and who is committed to safeguarding them within the framework of the law. That leadership will be essential as we consider the implications of today’s judgment and determine the next steps.
“Parents have always had the ability to opt out of collective worship if they wish, and that will continue. But despite today’s ruling, our determination remains firm. We will continue to work to ensure that Christian values remain central to education in Northern Ireland, protecting the heritage that has served our society well for decades.”
Alliance Education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA has said the Education Minister must provide guidance for schools on religious education following the ruling.
The Strangford MLA stated: “This is a welcome recognition of diversity in wider society and provides clarity on an issue which has been the subject of significant debate over the last number of years.
“It is important to underscore this ruling will not mean the removal of religious education from schools, but does mean there will have to be some change to ensure a more objective, critical, and pluralistic approach which respects the rights of families of all faiths and none.
“Alliance recognises the right to both freedom of, and freedom from religion, and fundamentally respects the right of parents to bring their children up in keeping with their beliefs and convictions. No aspect of this judgement should impact on this right.
“It’s vital that we now take time to reflect on the judgement and have a mature and respectful discussion on how we can ensure our schools are truly inclusive spaces for all. The Education Minister must provide clarity on the next steps to ensure the judgement can be reflected in education policy in an open, pluralistic and inclusive manner that respects and protects the rights of everyone.”
Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn welcomed the ruling saying: “The SupremeCourt ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools is hugely significant, and can’t be ignored by the executive.
“No child in a publicly-funded school should be pushed into a religious worldview that isn’t theirs. Northern Ireland is changing, our communities are diverse, and our education system needs to reflect that.
“I want to send my congratulations to the father and daughter who brought this case all the way to the supreme court.
“Those who claim this is about attacking faith are wrong, this is about respecting every family equally, including those with different beliefs or none at all.
“Religious education should be balanced, inclusive and modern. Compulsory worship rooted in one tradition belongs in the past, and the old “right to withdraw” simply isn’t good enough anymore.
“This ruling is a chance to finally update NI’s education framework so every child feels welcome and respected. The Executive should move quickly to make it happen.
“It’s 2025. Our schools should represent everyone.”
Ulster Unionist Education spokesperson, MLA Jon Burrows, said: “The Supreme Court’s ruling on religious education and Christian worship in Northern Ireland schools is significant and will understandably cause uncertainty and concern across our education sector. Christian worship and Religious Education have been part of school life here in Northern Ireland for a long time but have co-existed with the accepted right of parents to withdraw their children from both.
“The Ulster Unionist Party will look at the judgment in detail, but in the meantime, it is vital that the Department of Education urgently provide clarity on the scope and full implications of this ruling. Schools need clear and swift guidance on how to manage this in a common sense way that protects their ability to teach Religious Education lawfully while respecting parental rights.
“No child should ever be stigmatised because their parents opt out of Religious Education, however, many people will not agree with the suggestion that current provision amounts to indoctrination. This is a long and complex judgment which requires careful consideration, and we expect the Education Minister to provide urgent interim clarity for schools and parents.
“The Department must now examine how the curriculum can comply with the law while continuing a system that has worked well for generations. Religious Education remains one of the most popular GCSE and A-level subjects, and the right to opt out of collective worship was previously adjudicated correctly. This ruling risks overlooking the rights and heritage valued by the majority of parents who want to see the current system continue.”
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