Christians plan rally against Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Scottish families are to carry a rally in opposition to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently passing through Westminster.

While the bill, if passed, will largely not take effect in Scotland, similar proposals have been recommend within the Scottish Parliament. Organisers of the rally say they want “to send a transparent message to the Scottish Government regarding the importance of educational freedom and parental responsibility”.

In Scotland, Green MSP Ross Greer has tabled amendments to Holyrood’s Schools Bill that largely mirror the necessities for home educators within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The Scottish bill is currently at Stage 3 of the legislative process, although the amendments tabled by Greer are still in Stage 2.

Opponents of the proposed laws warn that they place an increased regulatory burden on home educators, potentially having a disproportionate effect on children with special educational needs (SEND).

Critics have also warned that the Westminster bill would undermine the autonomy of academy schools, which can be required to follow the national curriculum, adhere to national teacher pay and conditions, employ qualified teachers, and cooperate more closely with local authorities on admissions and place planning.

Excessive data collection, particularly from home educating families, also creates the potential for mass surveillance and breaches of privacy, critics say.

The rally against the bill can be held on 17 January at 1:30pm outside the Scottish Parliament and coincides with similar rallies in England.

Unite for Education, a bunch which promotes Christian education in Scotland, said the aim of the rally was to affirm parental responsibility in education and to demand no further taxation on private schools. It also wants protection for the correct of families to decide on the education path for his or her children.

Last 12 months Emily Bourne, writing for Christian Concern, described the bill as a “clear attack on religious freedoms and parental rights”.

Under the bill local officials may very well be empowered to envision on a family’s church attendance, education practices and non secular teachings. Bourne warned this might allow the state to declare Christian teaching “inappropriate or unsafe”.

“Already, there are cases where parents have been pressured to affirm gender identities contrary to their faith, under threat of losing custody of their children,” she said.