Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 12:49 pm on 30 January 2025.
Bob Doris
Scottish National Party
12:49,
30 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how schools promote an understanding of, and respect for, religious diversity. (S6O-04280)
Jenny Gilruth
Scottish National Party
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.
Bob Doris
Scottish National Party
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?
Jenny Gilruth
Scottish National Party
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.
Annabelle Ewing
Scottish National Party
We can squeeze in question 8, as long as we have succinct questions and answers.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
