The Education Secretary said the repeal would encourage faith schools to expand and create more “high quality” schools; places for pupils Photo: iStockphoto/Rawpixel
Gillian Keegan is set to scrap the 50 per cent cap on religious schools, ending a policy that forces schools to leave half their places open to children of different faiths.
The Education Secretary will announce the move this week, explaining that it will encourage the expansion of faith schools and the creation of better «quality» places for pupils.
Lord David Cameron, who described himself as an «evangelical» in relation to his Christian faith faith, introduced the cap while in a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.
Under current rules, any new faith schools that are re-signed can only give priority to faith-based students in 50 per cent of places.
When the restriction was introduced, it was claimed that it would stop the spread of rigid religious schools. However, ministers believe the restriction has not had much impact and has instead had the undesirable effect of preventing the expansion of Catholic schools.
The Catholic Church argues that abandoning children of the faith for non-Catholic children is inconsistent with canon law. The Catholic Education Service refused to participate in the free school program until the government relented and lifted the restriction.
Education Department officials believe lifting the cap will boost Catholic schools, which are often in high demand among the public. parents to create new institutions and expand existing facilities by joining multi-academy trusts. The plans will be discussed over a seven-week period.
Ms Keegan is set to make a formal statement next week to explain the move . Photo: MARK THOMAS/ALAMY
Approximately 850,000 children are educated in Catholic schools in England and Wales, making them the largest provider of secondary education and the second largest provider of primary education in England.
Most faith schools in England are eligible for exemptions from the Equality Act 2010, which allows them to give priority to children from families who share their faith if they have too many students.
This may include requiring parents and children to attend a local educational institution. regular worship or to provide proof of baptism. As a result, some parents are unable to send their children to their local state school.
A government source said the plan to «give every child a world-class education is working and school standards are higher than ever before», adding that 90 per cent of schools are now rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.
“A key part of this success has been putting our schools in charge of our schools and away from local authority control,” they said.
“Helping more faith schools join academic trusts. This is one of the final pieces of the jigsaw to complete our revolutionary reforms that have led to such dramatic improvements in our classrooms since 2010.
“The Education Secretary is committed to this plan as he continues to raise school standards and ensure a bright future for every child «.
Last year the United Nations called for a ban on the use of religion in student selection. in England, in what MPs called a «secular attack» on faith-based schools.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child published a report on children's rights in the UK, which concluded that «preventing the use of religion as a selection criterion for admission to school in England.»
It also recommended the repeal of statutory provisions for compulsory attendance at congregational worship and called on the Government to develop legislative guidelines to ensure that children have the right to withdraw from religious practice without parental consent.
The report sparked a backlash from lawmakers, religious leaders and religious school organizers, who said it would be “illiberal” to deny religious families the basic right to religious education. and said it was incorrect to say that congregational attendance at religious services is compulsory.
Свежие комментарии