The British Humanist Association (BHA) welcomed the results of a New Statesman poll today that found 96% of respondents said that ‘Tony Blair should end his support of faith schools’.
The BHA is a long-term opponent of the establishment of new faith schools and advocates the gradual assimilation of existing faith schools into a system of accommodating and inclusive community schools.
This policy is set out in detail in ‘A Better Way Forward’, the BHA’s report of 2002, produced after wide-ranging consultation with educationists, teachers, and religious and belief organisations, which first recommended the system of inclusive schools.
Hanne Stinson , BHA’s executive director, said:
“We recognise that it is difficult for the Government to be seen to deny other religions the same opportunities to provide schooling as have traditionally been provided to the churches, but the answer is to assimilate current faith schools into an inclusive school system, not to expand the provision of religious instruction at the taxpayer’s expense.
“Together with other polls such as the ICM poll of last month this New Statesman poll shows there is a growing public demand for Government action on faith schools, and this has to be met.”
Notes to editors
1. The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the principal organisation representing the interests of the large and growing population of ethically concerned but non-religious people living in the UK . It exists to support and represent people who seek to live good and responsible lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.
2. For more info rmation or comment, contact Hanne Stinson on hanne@humanists.uk or 020 7079 3583.
3. More surveys, polls and reports on faith schools here.