The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education found that when schools provide a decent grounding in religion and belief, there are fewer racial problems in communities.
MPs heard from a number of subject and community experts that understanding about the place of RE in schools was often inaccurate and misinformed.
In its summary report, RE and Good Community Relations, presented to education secretary Michael Gove on Monday (March 17), it said that schools needed clear policies on community relations and equalities with regard to religion and belief, to better inform young people about the need for dialogue and acceptance.
Teachers needed better support and training to give them confidence to teach often complex and contentious issues such as inter-religious conflict. This would include training on the use of social media to forge links between children and young people of different backgrounds, the study recommended.
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