The question of religious education in Northern Ireland is not merely a subject of academic interest. Secularism matters. The Workers Party believes in a learning environment where children of all backgrounds, Catholic, Protestant, other faiths and none, can develop and participate on equal terms. In a society riven by historic division, secular schooling supports critical thinking and ensures that education can take place in a neutral space which is not tied to or influenced by religious affiliation. In reality, religious traditions impact on social, economic and political narratives, imposing ideological assumptions about authority, hierarchy and identity.

References

Alberts, Wanda (2010) 'The academic study of religions and integrative religious education in Europe', British Journal of Religious Education, 32(3), pp. 275–290. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2010.498621

Bell, David (2026) 'Confessional governance and religious education in Northern Ireland: ensuring compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights', Human Rights Education Review. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/25355406.2026.2726841

Bishop Alan McGuckian (23rd November 2025) Pastoral Statement on RE Provision in Northern Ireland Available at: https://www.downandconnor.org/blog/2025/11/23/pastoral-statement-bishop-alan-mcguckian-provision-northern-ireland/

Deb, Anurag, Graham, Lewis, and Murray, C.R.G. (2026) 'Religious education and indoctrination in Northern Ireland and beyond after JR87', Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, 77(AD1), pp. 1–14. Available at: https://doi.org/10.53386/nilq.v77iAD1.1311

Department of Education Northern Ireland (2026) Circular 2026/09: Arrangements for withdrawal from Religious Education and Collective Worship in all grant-aided schools. Available at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/circular-202609-arrangements-withdrawal-religious-education-and-collective-worship-all-grant-aided-schools

Department of Education Northern Ireland (2026) DE 2026-036 Attachment 1 of 1 - Granular Religion Statistics. Available at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/de-foi2026-036

El Cavador (2026) 'Christianity’s place was never the problem in JR87: the test is how it is taught…', 7 July. Available at: https://sluggerotoole.com/2026/07/07/christianitys-place-was-never-the-problem-in-jr87-the-test-is-how-it-is-taught/

Sandberg, Russell (2025) Religious Education in Northern Ireland: the Supreme Court decision and its impact, November. Available at: https://lawandreligionuk.com/2025/11/20/religious-education-in-northern-ireland-the-supreme-court-decision-and-its-impact/