Should Sacred Studies be part of a general public school curricula

Hi, folks, interesting discussion.
We had a Religious Education class once a week in high school when I was growing up in Scotland, I think from our first to fourth years. Alas, the teacher we usually had could not control the class so we didn't learn very much (I suspect because most of us did not want to be there at the time!!). I don't envy any teacher who has to teach a mandatory class on anything!! I think if the class had been called "Origins" or something I might have had more interest but the term 'religious' would always turn me off.
I was an atheist back then, so for me, my 'religion' class was actually Biology class. I was a firm believer in evolution back then and Biology was my best subject in high school, I think, in part, because I thought it gave me a firm basis to put my atheism on at the time.
I recall when the biology teacher brought it up the first time, one of the students who was a Christian (and who would often get the highest marks in the class) would object and pooh pooh the idea that man came from apes etc., to which the teacher would reply to the effect..."sorry it does not conform to your beliefs but this topic is mandated as part of the course materials so I must teach it."
Anyway, that's my two cents.