The BHA has warned that having more state-funded religious schools will damage social cohesion and is unlikely diminish the problem of extremism after plans for two new Muslim ‘free schools’ were revealed.
The proposals for a Muslim primary and secondary free school in Normanton, Derbyshire were announced by community education group the An-Noor Institute and the local Jamia Mosque. The announcement comes just days after senior Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors attacked the introduction of free schools, raising concerns that they could create ethnic or religious enclaves.
Mosque secretary Mr Rehmat told The Derby Telegraph: ‘Various different groups all over the UK believe in terrorism. The teachings at the school would show people what truth means. An education like this would put people off fundamentalism and terrorism. It’s the same at any religious school – Jewish, Christian – you often find the children are more respectful.’
BHA faith schools and education campaigns officer James Gray responded ‘Religious free schools are largely unregulated, exempt from the national curriculum and outside local authority control, which raises important concerns over the kind of education children will receive. ‘Faith’ free schools of any denomination are by their very nature divisive, discriminatory and antithetical to community cohesion.’
‘It is simply a myth that religious schools are any better at promoting a positive, respectful ethos than community schools. In fact, the evidence seems to point to the opposite conclusion – that ‘faith’ schools are frequently a source of division. Instead of calling for more religious schools, those who seek to combat fundamentalism should campaign for inclusive community schools which allow children to engage with a range of beliefs’
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For further information or comment contact James Gray on 020 7462 4993 / james@humanists.uk
Read the Derby Telegraph article.
Free schools can be set up by any group and are funded directly by the Department for Education. They do not have to follow the National Curriculum or employ qualified teachers and are outside local authority control. Religious free schools can allocate up to half their places on religious grounds and use a religious test in appointing, remunerating and promoting all teachers.