The religious syllabus taught in Bradford schools has been updated after 12 months of local consultation.

It is now due to be introduced into classrooms after being approved by the Council's ruling Executive committee on Tuesday.

The syllabus aims to make an important contribution towards the promotion of citizenship in schools - one of the recommendations in Community Pride Not Prejudice, Lord Ouseley's report into race relations in Bradford.

If it is agreed, it will be the basis of religious teaching in all maintained primary and secondary schools in the district until 2006.

The 2001 syllabus, which has had input from local religious groups, teachers' organisations, community leaders and education officers, aims to encourage pupils to develop moral, spiritual and cultural understanding.

"Whilst not a substitute for pupils of different faiths actually mixing together, encouraging them to learn about each other's faiths and beliefs in a positive and informed manner is very important, if we are to improve relations across all our communities," said Councillor David Ward, executive member for education.

"Ignorance, and lack of concrete information about other cultures and faiths is often the cause of intolerance and prejudice between religious and ethnic groups.

The 2001 syllabus aims to meet the needs of all pupils in our schools and contribute positively to the future of the district."