The government’s proposals to introduce ‘Trust Schools’ has come under more intense scrutiny this week, and the number of those with deep concerns over such institutions seems to be increasing.
Various teachers’ unions and religious leaders, including Christians, have commented that these schools could easily become a hub for religious extremists.This week the British Humanist Society (BHA) issued a clear warning in which it stated that the government should beware the “creeping gift of the education system to religious interests”.
The caution comes just days following a statement by the teachers’ union telling MP’s in the House of Commons Education Select Committee that they were firmly opposed to the proposals for trust schools.
This statement came as a damaging report against the government’s White Paper, which is to be put forward in a Bill early 2006, proposing that every school to be encouraged to become an independently-governed trust. This would mean more freedom from the local authorities, and would allow schools to set up their own admission procedures.
Among those that have been invited by the government to establish the new trust schools have been various religious groups, businesses as well as the Church of England.
However, widespread criticism has been found among teachers’ unions, including the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT).One particular criticism has been that the only organisations that have any real incentives to establish the newly proposed schools would be faith schools.
At the end of November the schools minister, Jacqui Smith, appealed to schools to support its plans for the new trust-run state schools. The government wants every school to become a trust, which will be sponsored by a business or not-for-profit organisation, and they will have the same independent powers as academies.
Despite the large opposition arising over the reforms, particularly from Labour backbenchers and Liberal Democrats, the government has every right to be optimistic that the future Bill will pass unscathed through the House of Commons.
The new Conservative leader, David Cameron, during his first day in his new position explained that he would be fully supporting the government’s changes. He proclaimed, “I want schools to control their own admissions. That’s what’s in the White Paper and let’s see it turned into the Bill. Education is one of the public services in desperate need of reform.”
The White Paper is expected to be proposed as a Bill to the House of Commons in February 2006.
