Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 12:49 pm on 30 January 2025.
To ask the Scottish Government how schools promote an understanding of, and respect for, religious diversity. (S6O-04280)
The Scottish Government is committed to eradicating intolerance, including through our education system. That is why diversity and equality are at the heart of policies that underpin education in Scotland, such as the national guidance on uniform, and on religious and moral education.
In particular, I highlight the role that is played by our curriculum, which places a strong emphasis on supporting pupils to be responsible citizens in a tolerant and inclusive Scotland. A key example of that is the religious and moral education curriculum area, which helps pupils to understand their own beliefs, values and traditions, as well as those of others.
I recently held a round-table event in Parliament with the Scottish Hindu Foundation, which has been active in raising awareness of Hinduphobia in society. The foundation rightly believes that the education of our young people has a key preventative role to play in ensuring that future generations are tolerant and understanding of, and have respect for, all faiths, including Hinduism.
It would be helpful to know how best practice in that area is shared and delivered in Scotland’s schools. More specifically, how could the Scottish Hindu Foundation engage with our education system in a structured and constructive way to offer its insights, skills and lived experience and thereby play its part in contributing to the development of the tolerant, understanding and respectful society that we all wish to promote?
I know that Education Scotland has regular meetings with the Scottish Hindu Foundation. It also provides professional learning for teachers, which is sometimes delivered in partnership with faith and belief groups. I think that that answers the member’s question about how good practice is shared.
However, I am more than happy to ask my officials to engage further with the foundation and to consider, in particular, whether any further opportunities exist to link the foundation with work in relation to our anti-racism in education programme, as well as the package of curriculum reforms that are now well under way.
We can squeeze in question 8, as long as we have succinct questions and answers.