Parents should not have the right to withdraw children from religious education (RE) lessons at school, according to faith representatives in Kent.

Earlier this year, the Commission on Religious Education told the government it should review whether pupils are legally allowed to skip such classes if the topic differs from their own faith.

But Nicky Younosi, the vice-chairman of Kent’s standing advisory committee on religious education (SACRE), said such a move would help increase friction between different parts of the community.

She said this morning (November 27): “To me, withdrawing children from RE means they are growing up in ghettos, becoming narrow-minded, and not seeing the wider world.

“This also stops them from living a true life as a true, free British citizen. So we need to make a huge noise about it.”

Mrs Younosi, the committee's Islamic representative, also claimed the report’s recommendations are based on the opinion of male religious figures as “they never seem to consult women”.

She added: “Women are the ones bringing up children at home, and most mothers I’ve spoken to would be very willing for the children to understand other faiths. But it’s men’s voices that are heard.”

Members agreed to lobby Kent MPs to support the idea that children remain in RE classes at all times, while the committee will also write a letter to the Department for Education.

Committee advisor Penny Smith-Orr said the current Kent RE syllabus is “very fair”, and that children are taught about tolerance in the classroom through other means.

She added: “Schools have to teach British values, and there is a set of them. One of the values is tolerance and the understanding of people and different faiths.”

The report also recommends changing the name of the RE subject to religion and worldviews.