New campaign calls for the removal of unelected religious representatives from council education committees.
The Enlighten Up campaign, organised by the Humanist Society Scotland, called on Holyrood to ensure every member of local authority education committees is accountable through the ballot box.
A report published by the society includes details of the 88 religious representatives who have been appointed to education committees without a vote.
Gordon MacRae, HSS chief executive, said: ‘The presence of unelected religious representatives is anti-democratic and out of step with modern Scotland.
‘Parents should not be left guessing who has a right to make decisions over their children’s education. Every full voting member of local education committees should be accountable through the ballot box.’
Mr MacRae points out the law that makes councils appoint religious representatives was brought in under the Conservatives in 1973.
‘As we look to the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections,’ he said, ‘we hope Scotland’s politicians will agree that it is time to end it once and for all.’
