Religion, schooling and secularism

Shaima Amatullah, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Handbook on Geographies of Education

Publication Date

1-8-2026

Abstract

With the emerging patterns of religious revival in several parts of the world, along with growing global immigration, the place of religion within schooling (public/private and faith-based) has become an important concern for nation-states. Using psychosocial lenses, this chapter critically examines the body of literature in this area and throws light on the key debates on including and excluding religion in education, and their outcomes across different geographical contexts. It identifies the lack of studies that take into account children's perspectives as a major gap and the need to understand how children internalise religious or secular values and beliefs. It offers a two-fold guideline for advancing research and practice/policy. It argues for context-based research and practice that is robust and expands its scope to include both systemic factors (the state, its relationship with religion in general and in education, religious bodies, educational institutes, bureaucracies, schools’ implementation of policies, actual and hidden curriculum) and individual factors (students’ religious, racial composition, culture, teacher education).

ISBN

[9781035314065, 9781035314072]

Publisher

Edward Elgar Publishing

First Page

429

Last Page

440

Disciplines

Education

Keywords

Children, Diversity, Education, Global migration, Religion, Secular

Scopus ID

105032387199

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

Link to Full Text

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