Home Education
1:22 pm
Diana Johnson (Assistant Whip (funded by HM Treasury); Kingston upon Hull North, Labour)
I thank Mr. Field for his understanding remarks about where we are with the review and about my position. I congratulate him on securing this short debate and I thank other hon. Members for their contributions.
The Government are committed to building a world-class education system for our children. That system must be built on the highest standards of teaching, real choice for parents and pupils, and rigorous accountability. Home education is a vital part of that system. This debate draws out two important themes, which must be held in balance. One is the right of parents to decide what is best for their children in their education and development. The other is the right of every child to receive a high standard of education in a safe, secure environment.
At present, in England, we have a system that takes great account of the rights of parents to choose an education for their child that
"is in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions".
However, every child has the fundamental right to receive an education, and we need to ensure that that important human right is delivered for every child in the land, even in those rare cases where their parents' convictions conflict with their right to be educated.