A move by Texas to require Bible stories in public school lessons has prompted a formal request for an inquiry from the British education watchdog, Ofsted. The Texas State Board of Education voted on Tuesday to mandate the teaching of stories from the Bible in elementary and secondary schools, citing the need to expose students to “the historical, cultural, and literary significance of the Bible.” The decision has sparked a fierce debate on both sides of the Atlantic about the separation of church and state.
In a letter to the UK Education Secretary, Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman expressed concern that the Texas mandate could influence British curriculum discussions. “We must ensure that our own educational standards remain free from religious prescription,” Spielman wrote. “The Texas decision sets a worrying precedent that could embolden those who seek to introduce religious doctrine into British classrooms under the guise of cultural literacy.”
The Texas mandate requires that lessons include stories from the Bible, such as the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, but does not specify a particular translation. Critics argue that it violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from endorsing a religion. “This is a blatant attempt to inject Christianity into public schools,” said Rachel Laser, CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “Texas is forcing children to learn religious dogma as fact.”
Supporters of the decision, including many conservative Christians, argue that the Bible is a foundational text for Western civilisation and that understanding its stories is essential for grasping literature, art, and history. “The Bible is not just a religious text,” said Texas state board member Mary Lou Bruner. “It is the bedrock of our culture. Children need to know these stories to understand references in Shakespeare, Michelangelo, and even modern films.”
The British education watchdog’s call for an inquiry comes amid a wider debate about religious influence in UK schools. While religious education is already part of the curriculum, the teaching is meant to be comparative and non-denominational. Ofsted’s intervention suggests a concern that the Texas model could inspire similar campaigns in Britain, particularly among faith schools and evangelical groups.
Labour MP and shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson welcomed Ofsted’s stance. “We must guard against any erosion of our secular education system,” she said. “Children should be taught about religion, not indoctrinated into it. The Texas decision is a stark warning of what can happen when politicians interfere with the classroom.”
Meanwhile, the Texas mandate has drawn legal challenges from civil liberties groups, who argue it forces teachers into the role of religious instructors. “Teachers are not trained to deliver religious education in a neutral way,” said Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network. “This mandate will inevitably lead to sectarian bias and alienate students of different faiths or none.”
The decision has also highlighted regional disparities in the UK. In Northern Ireland, where integrated schools are still rare, the debate over religious teaching is particularly charged. The Texas mandate may embolden those who argue for a more explicitly Christian curriculum in Northern Irish schools.
As the inquiry begins, Ofsted has called for evidence from educators, religious leaders, and human rights organisations. The outcome could influence how the UK addresses the delicate balance between religious freedom and educational impartiality. For now, the Texas decision stands as a test case for the limits of religious instruction in modern democracies.
