RE in NI schools: Paul Givan says Christianity will remain central to syllabus

Givan told Talkback that there “would be no change whatsoever in how collective worship is currently being delivered in our schools.”

He said that daily acts of collective worship “based upon the holy scriptures” were required by law.

But Givan said that schools should seek to vary their assemblies at times.

“At least once every term there should be some form of assembly that celebrates whatever aspect of other school life, and that can be held in addition to the normal requirements for collective worship,” he said.

“But there will not be a change whenever it comes to acts of collective worship within our schools.”

He has also introduced a simpler process for parents to withdraw their children from RE or collective worship.

Parents already had that legal right, but Givan told MLAs that “withdrawal must be straightforward, stigma-free and supported.”

“The school must grant the request promptly, without negotiation, approval processes, or delays,” he said.

Givan said collective worship in schools reflected “the overwhelming wishes of the people of Northern Ireland.”