This is never going to work. It can't work, because it is based on a false premise. Faith schools don't "foster(ing) understanding between different religions and promot[e] integration and community cohesion" but the precise opposite.
Thousands of Muslim children will be educated in new state faith schools under radical plans to extend state education to Britain’s minority religions.
The move comes amid growing concern that a generation of British Muslim children, whose parents may speak poor English or be poorly integrated in British society, could grow up in segregated communities.
The move would give the Government greater control over Muslim schools at a time when questions are being raised about whether some are adequately preparing children for life in Britain...
A joint document signed by the Government and leaders of Britain’s main faith communities, to be published on Monday, emphasises the important role of faith schools in fostering understanding between different religions and promoting integration and community cohesion. (The Times)
I dislike faith schools. All faith schools, whatever religion they are based in. There is no doubt that they promote - most likely unconsciously - a segregationist view of the world, 'them' and 'us'. However, I don't mind parents choosing to send their children to a faith school - so long as they pay for it. Taxpayer's money should not go towards any faith school.The move comes amid growing concern that a generation of British Muslim children, whose parents may speak poor English or be poorly integrated in British society, could grow up in segregated communities.
The move would give the Government greater control over Muslim schools at a time when questions are being raised about whether some are adequately preparing children for life in Britain...
A joint document signed by the Government and leaders of Britain’s main faith communities, to be published on Monday, emphasises the important role of faith schools in fostering understanding between different religions and promoting integration and community cohesion. (The Times)
There can be no doubt that religious schools do foster a lack of understanding of other religions and cultures. Most modern organised religions deem that they are "the one true path" and that every other religion in the world is wrong, and this in undoubtedly going to come over in some sense at least through the education they give. It is segregation - only people of a particular faith go to a faith school. It means that there is little or no mixing of children of different [nominal] faiths at the age in which it is most important that they do.
Religion/faith is a personal thing. It requires a personal devotion to and acceptance of a creed and certain supernatural being(s). It should not be forced onto kids, and certainly shouldn't be paid for by the taxpayer. If you follow a religion and want your children to do so as well, then you should be prepared to either pay for that education, or give it yourself or through your religious institution.
Britain is a secular country, with only 53% of the population even calling themselves "Christian", let alone actually going to Church at all. This should - must - be reflected in the state education system. Religion should not form part of any over-arching structure in a school, any more so than race should. No school that accepts state funding should be able to belong to any faith or have an educational doctrine based in one. This does not mean that teachers shouldn't be religious. The best teacher I had, for five years [Years 9-13], was a devout Christian, and is now actually an Assistant Pastor. But he left his religiousness at the door whilst he taught.
Religious schools are the bane of any multi-cultural society, and must not be funded by the state.
Source: The Times
