For Secular Education

Posted in ClassroomSolidarity's blog on ,

Faith schools featured as a controversial aspect of debate at conference 2006 and despite a lengthy discussion – on the web, in conference hall and at fringe meetings – no real progress was made. The union had not considered its position for some time and many asked ‘why raise the issue now?’ This strain of thought was given weight by the wording of the initial motion which allowed sections of the union to cloak discussion in terms of Islamophobia. Amendments did little to help with some giving implicit support for the expansion of faith schools and others failing to deal with issues of parity between different denominations.

This meant that the fundamentals of secularism, the role laid out for faith schools in new education policy and the reality of these schools as they operate now were sidelined. The real debate for the NUT should not be about how many of which type of faith school there should be, but how best to explain our opposition to the state funding of religious education – of whatever sort – and how to return VA/VC schools to local, secular and democratic control.

The Faith Schools Working Party gives an opportunity for the debate to continue and time to reflect on the substantive issues. However, there are signs that the functioning of the group will be hindered by a stream of representations from various religious groups. It would be rank hypocrisy – or worse - to support the continued funding of existing faith schools whilst denying expansion for under-represented groups. But to support continued funding is to support the notion that faith schools deserve public money.

Rather than this evidence the group should hear from those with direct experience of faith schools – students and teachers – and educationalists with evidence of the impact of faith schools on their neighbouring schools and local communities.

Any motions from the Left for Conference 2007 should take into account the experience of this year’s debate and reflect the implications of allowing a renewed expansion of religious control on the lives of young people.

Trade Unions

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