Presenting a significant report in the Senedd
On Wednesday, 22 May, the directors of the National Centre of Religious Education for Wales, and lecturers in Philosophy, Ethics and Religion at ×îÐÂÂ鶹ӰÒôÊÓƵ, Professor Lucy Huskinson, Dr Joshua Andrews and Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, and their research assistant, Ms Rachel Healand-Sloan, presented important research findings to the Cross-Party Faith Group of the Welsh Parliament.
Since October 2022, the Centre has received a constant flow of reports and feedback from primary, secondary and further education teachers throughout Wales, regarding how the new curriculum for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE), which has replaced 'Religious Education' as a subject for pupils up to Key Stage 4, has been implemented.
The findings of the research sheds light on a number of aspects that cause real concern. This includes the fact that a significant proportion of the respondents said that their institutions did not offer education about religion, values and ethics to pupils to the end of Key Stage 4; only up to Key Stage 3 (which goes against the Welsh legal mandate). Shortcomings were identified in the resources that exist to support the teaching of the new curriculum; especially through the medium of Welsh – as there is only one English-medium textbook available, and no intention of publishing a Welsh translation of it.
At the 43rd Cross-Party Faith Group meeting, chaired by Darren Millar MS, Professor Lucy Huskinson, Dr Gareth Evans-Jones and Dr Andrews presented their research, by identifying the context of the Centre and its work, by outlining some of the findings, and by presenting their recommendations for the government to respond to.
"Being invited to present in front of the Group was very valuable", said Dr Joshua Andrews, "as it was an opportunity for us to express the concerns of the many teachers who have been contacting the Centre to those who could help structurally. The stories we have heard and continue to hear are heart-breaking."
Dr Gareth Evans-Jones added, "The intention of our research is the want to ensure that Religion, Values and Ethics as a subject is treated with care and respect. With any change to the curriculum, it is important to ensure there is a secure infrastructure for the subject to flourish. And with that, making sure that the education and resources are completely bilingual; so that neither Welsh-medium nor English-medium education is at any disadvantage."
The meeting held in Cardiff has attracted the attention of the BBC, and on Sunday, 26 May, an interview was held with John Roberts on the Bwrw Golwg programme on BBC Radio Cymru, regarding the research, and an article was published on the BBC Cymru Fyw website commenting on the insights of the Centre’s report.
The Centre is continuing further research into this issue and is conducting a series of anonymous interviews with teachers across Wales (so as to ensure the discretion of contributors to the research without ramifications). And the Centre is keen to hear from as many teachers as possible, so if you know of any who teach Religion, Values and Ethics, or Religious Education, or the Humanities, please encourage them to email the Centre: ncrew@bangor.ac.uk.
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