Simple terms explainer: 

Councils must ensure that all schools provide religious education and observance as part of the curriculum. This helps pupils understand different beliefs and values and offers inclusive opportunities for spiritual development and celebrating shared values. These activities should be respectful of Scotland’s diverse communities and inclusive of all faiths and none. Councils must also ensure that parents are informed of their legal right to withdraw their children from religious observance without any disadvantage to their education. Councils are also required to maintain religious observance or instruction in schools unless the local community formally decides otherwise through a democratic process.