Meeting of the Parliament 17 February 2026 [Draft]
I will make a short contribution in support of amendment 24, in the name of Paul O’Kane. We are debating legislation on the right of a child to withdraw from religious education, but it is important that that does not undermine the ethos of denominational schools. If we ask any headteacher what is successful about those schools, they will say that their entire ethos is about the discipline and character of that school and that, without that, they would not be as successful.
The 1918 act is a key piece of law for Catholic education, which is enshrined in our education system. The 1918 act corrected historical inequalities, and it is important to note that that is one of the things that it does.
We have a highly successful Catholic education system. It is part of a modern system that reflects the minority character of the Catholic community while giving choice to all parents regardless of their religious background. I think that that is right for a modern Scotland.
This is what I want to say to the Government—although I have obviously not yet heard the Government’s argument. The Government must recognise that there have been periodic attempts to eradicate or remove Catholic schools from the education system. I have had many letters over 20 years, and that point has been argued by the Humanist Society and others. Everyone has their view. I do not have any criticism of the Government in this regard but, if the Government recognises that that has happened, then, for the avoidance of doubt, we must ensure that the right of the child that we are dealing with today does not undermine that ethos in any way. It is imperative that nothing in the bill does that.
I would like to hear what the Government has to say about that. I do not see why the Government would be opposed to amendment 24. As I have said, the 1918 act is a very relevant piece of legislation. I would be interested to hear what the Government has to say. I will strongly support amendment 24 for the reasons that I have set out.