A NEW report published by the Arts and Humanities Research Council has called for a change in the law which presently requires all schools to hold a daily act of collective worship.
Inclusive assemblies where contributions can be made to the social and moral development of children, which might well include information on the diverse nature of the world religions, are clearly of benefit.
There is, however, no justification or need for collective worship in schools; schools are for education, not for proselytising or dogmatic beliefs.
Our education system is beset by the scourge of discriminatory and exclusive faith schools, be they Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh or more.
Collective worship with captive audience participation extends this discrimination to the whole system.
Religion can be practised in churches, chapels, mosques, temples or at home.
There is simply no need for collective worship in schools; schools are for education, not proselytising, discrimination or dogmatic beliefs.
JANE LE COYTE Nell Hill Bishopstone
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