House of Lords To Consider Removing Christian Prayer In Schools Requirement

Great Britain's House of Lords this week will debate a proposed amendment to the Education and Inspections Bill that would remove the requirement that schools to provide a daily "act of collective worship" that must be "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character". The amendment instead calls for assemblies that are inclusive of all children, according to a press release issued by a coalition of religious groups, teaching unions and the British Humanist Association. A briefing paper issued by the coalition supporting the change points out that the new language will call for school assemblies that further pupils' "spiritual, moral, social and cultural education". (See prior related posting.)