AQW 40091/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 09/02/2026
Answered On Date: 18/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any role the (i) Religious Education Advisory Committee; and ii) previous work undertaken by the Religious Education Advisory Committee, will play in the drafting of a new Religious Education curriculum.

Answer:

The approach to drafting the revised RE Core Syllabus and the wider engagement process is a matter for the drafting group, led by Professor Noel Purdy. The Religious Education Advisory Committee has no formal role in the review process, though the drafting group may wish to engage with members of the Committee and consider previous work undertaken by the Committee and others.

The Terms of Reference for the work make clear that the revised Core Syllabus should be pluralist and inclusive, specifically ensuring pupils explore a range of religious and non-religious worldviews, and encourage engagement with questions of belief, ethics, identity and meaning, reflecting the diversity of contemporary society. The Terms of Reference also set out the need for wider engagement and consultation as part of the drafting process.