The BHA has urged the government to listen to senior Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors who have attacked the introduction of ‘free schools’, raising concerns that they could create ethnic or religious enclaves and undermine community cohesion.
Speaking to The Guardian Cllr Les Lawrence, Conservative cabinet member for children’s services in Birmingham, said that independent state schools run by religious groups were ‘deeply worrying’ because they would not be required to teach about other beliefs. He said he preferred a system ‘whereby all faiths are taught in schools [in religious education lessons], irrespective of the primary faith’. Cllr Lawrence also raised concerns that ‘free schools’ could lead to segregation and division: ‘The city council has raised concerns about community cohesion. It is an exclusive, not an inclusive type of education that they would provide, not the kind of comprehensive ethos we have developed in this city.’
These concerns were echoed by Kath Pinnock, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Kirklees council, who warned that a new free school in her area could lead to an ethnically segregated education system.
BHA faith schools and education campaigns officer James Gray commented ‘These latest contributions to the debate demonstrate that opposition to free schools cuts across political divides. Critics from all the main Westminster parties have joined parents and teachers in raising concerns about the threat to community cohesion and objective teaching that ‘faith’ free schools pose.’
‘We urge the government to introduce robust safeguards to prevent a school system becoming even more fragmented along religious lines, and with potentially thousands of children left unprotected against extreme religious views.’
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For further information or comment contact James Gray on 020 7462 4993 / james@humanists.uk
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the growing population of ethically concerned, non-religious. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for a secular state and an end to discrimination based on religion or belief.