Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Teaching unions voice concern at plans to create more faith schools

Nigel Morris
Tuesday 11 September 2007 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Plans for a sharp rise in the number of faith schools have put the Government on a collision course with teaching unions. Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, promised yesterday to sweep away "unnecessary barriers" which prevented non-Christian groups from providing state education.

About 6,850 of Britain's 21,000 state schools have a "religious character". Most are Anglican or Roman Catholic but there are 37 Jewish, seven Muslim and two Sikh schools. The Government's plans could lead to more than 100 independent Muslim schools joining the state system.

Mr Balls said a proposed Christian-Muslim academy in Oldham was a model for co-operation between different faiths, saying it would make a "valuable contribution towards community cohesion and integration".

But John Dunford, the head of the Association of School and College Leaders, warned: "The inherent danger is that more schools will become monocultural."

Mary Bousted, of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, also questioned whether taxpayers' money should be used to "nurture young people in a particular faith".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in