CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
Society

County Council says Faith Schools "Breed Bigotry"; Parents Fight Back

As Northumberland County Council continues to give a mixed reaction to the provision of free transport for children attending faith schools, councillors have hit out at the schools, claiming they 'breed bigotry'.

by Maria Mackay
Posted: Wednesday, May 3, 2006, 10:16 (BST)
Font Scale:A A A
Councillors on Northumberland County Council have hit out against faith schools as the provision of free travel for pupils attending faith schools in the region continues to face an uncertain future.

Currently pupils attending faith schools outside their catchment area are provided free transport to enable them to attend the schools on religious grounds.

In the case of pupils who seek education out of their catchment area on grounds other than religious beliefs, the parents are required to shoulder the responsibility of bringing their children to and from the schools by themselves.

The issue of free travel to faith schools has received a mixed reaction from Blyth Valley Council, while Cllr Bernard Pidcock claimed that faith schools ‘breed bigotry’.

Numerous councillors throughout the region have also come out to argue that faith schools are a form of prejudice and that all pupils in the education system should be treated the same, reports Blyth and Wansbeck Today.

At the end of the day it is about individual choice and this is discrimination.

Cllr Wayne Daley, Northumberland County Council

It is expected that the county council will decide in favour of axing the free transport provision to faith schools outside the catchment area, forcing parents to find other means of transport.

Cllr Ian Tompkins said: “Choice in schools is government policy but choices have costs.

"So if parents choose to send their children out of the catchment area, they should pick up the cost of doing so."

Meanwhile Cllr Pidcock said that children should be able to be educated in a faith system if that is the wish of the parents while expressing his disapproval of faith schools.

"If parents want their children to be brought up in a faith system they should be allowed to do that, but not in the existing education system,” he said.

Cllr Pidcock added that children should be taught in a multi-cultural environment and not be segregated from people of different backgrounds.

"I am not against faith education, but I am against faith schools," he said. "I really genuinely believe they breed prejudice and bigotry."

Around 700 children at Roman Catholic and Church of England first and middle schools throughout the region benefit from the free home to school transport currently provided by the county council at an annual cost of around £600,000.



continue to read > 1 | 2
Copyright © 2009 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
World Headline
Archbishop calls for renewable energy in South Africa

Archbishop calls for renewable energy in South Africa

The Archbishop of Cape Town has called on South Africa's troubled energy provider Eskom to drop its plans to build more...
Sponsored Features
Bible Educational Services is committed to telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. Psalm 78: 4. To download free bible lessons or learn about Postal Bible Schools visit Enrich your love life, marriage and relationships through education and counselling. Train to become a certified marriage and family educator and change lives for good. 16,500 native missionaries reaching the most unreached with Christ's love. Get your free book today.
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here