A dramatic divergence in education policy has emerged this week as Texas approved mandatory Bible lessons in public schools, while the UK government reiterated its commitment to secular education. For workers in the North of England, where school funding is already stretched thin, the contrast raises questions about the future of state education.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law requiring all public schools to incorporate Bible stories into their curriculum from kindergarten to fifth grade. The move, framed as a way to teach 'historical and cultural significance,' has drawn sharp criticism from civil liberties groups and educators who argue it blurs the line between church and state. In a statement, Abbott said the Bible is 'essential to understanding the founding of our nation.'
Across the Atlantic, the UK Department for Education issued a statement affirming that schools must remain 'free from religious instruction' in core subjects, though religious education itself remains a compulsory part of the curriculum. A spokesperson said: 'Our system ensures children learn about diverse beliefs without promoting any single faith. That is the foundation of a tolerant society.'
For families in struggling towns like Barnsley or Middlesbrough, the debate may seem distant, but it touches on real issues of school resources and community values. Council budgets for religious education have been cut by 15% on average since 2010, according to UNISON. Many schools now rely on charity-funded programmes to cover the basics. One teacher from Doncaster told me: 'We can't afford new textbooks. How can we be expected to teach the Bible?'
The Texas law has also reignited discussions about mandatory collective worship in UK schools. Currently, all state schools must hold a daily act of collective worship 'wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.' Critics say this is outdated, but attempts to change it have repeatedly stalled. A 2019 petition to scrap the requirement gathered over 100,000 signatures but was not debated in Parliament.
Meanwhile, trade unions warn that the Texas model could embolden religious conservatives in the UK. The National Education Union has already campaigned against 'faith-based admissions' in academy schools. 'We are seeing a creeping privatisation and religious intervention that undermines the comprehensive ideal,' said a union spokesperson.
For working parents, the issue is pragmatic. With childcare costs rising and wages barely keeping pace with inflation, many simply want their children to get a decent, impartial education. 'I don't need the school to teach my kid about God. That's my job,' said a mother in Rotherham, queuing at a food bank after her shift. 'I need them to learn to read and count so they don't end up like me.'
As Texas moves further into state-sponsored religious teaching, the UK's position stands in contrast. But with a general election looming and cultural battles heating up, the door may not be closed to change. For now, the message from Whitehall is clear: secularism is not up for debate. Whether that holds after the next election is another matter.
