Should teenagers be able to opt out of Religious Education lessons just because they think it's boring or irrelevant? Raisingkids.co.uk's guest expert Frank McGinty offers some advice.

Raisingkids member's problem
What rights do parent have about whether their childs school will allow them to opt out of Religious Education lessons? I am having big problems with my son on this - he is nearly 15 years old and thinks RE classes are a waste of time.

Frank McGinty's advice
Under the Education Reform Act, 1988, it is the duty of local authority maintained schools to provide daily collective worship and religious education. However, parents have the right to withdraw their children from either or both of these activities, and the usual form of withdrawal is by expressing your wishes in writing to the Head Teacher.

Before doing so, you may wish to consider the matter further. Its not clear what will happen to your son if he is withdrawn. This is a grey area. I've known some Head Teachers persuade parents not to withdraw, claiming there would be neither the personnel nor resources to accommodate such pupils, who might then get into trouble, develop lazy habits, and such like. Your school will advise on this.

On a more positive note, however, you may wish to put a few considerations to your son. Is the problem with the subject as such, or could it be with the particular class or teacher? If its the latter, the school should be able to help. Is your son objecting because he is expected to take part in worship during RE lessons? Worship should go on at other times, and anyway, he has the right (with parental consent) to withdraw from that particular aspect.

Perhaps you and he may wish to reflect more on why schools have RE in the first place. It is the traditions of the major religions that have shaped our society: many of our notions such as justice, respect for others, compassion and care have come directly from the teachings of religion. Studying religion, therefore, has both a historical and a sociological dimension and can help us determine just who we are. It is also a fact that religious intolerance has plagued our society for generations. Knowledge of the beliefs and customs of others - which should form the core of the RE course - can only help us live together in peace and mutual respect.

Please dont think Im trying to push you in one particular direction! I would stress that there are arguments for and against, and even in some countries where religion has a high profile in day-to-day living there is a separation between church and state in education. I hope that by considering points like those above you will be able to make an informed choice.