due to the fact that they are Recent media coverage of the often able to select more "creationist" City Technol- affluent pupils. It is well ogy college in Gateshead has known that poverty is a key opened up a more general obstacle to educational sucdebate on "faith" schools cess.
There are approximately and their impact on racial and social segregation within 26,000 state schools the state school system. England, of which the Some parents - and minis- Church of England nINS ters including Tony Blair - roughly 4,700. The Roman Catholic Church runs about believe that religious schoois produce better results. 2,100.
The selective nature of Minority faiths run hardly many religious schools any schools in comparison. appeals to some opponents of An increase in religious comprehensive education as schools mar mean an eren a way of "maintaining stan- greater polarisation in these dards". Some non-Christian figures and consequentiv an (e.g demand Muslim) non-Christian parents increase in the control of the Church of England over edu"faith" schools to balance the cation, rather than counterhigh number of Christian ing the inequalities in the run schools. education system.
If it is true that religious Religious segregation in schools produce better education fasters hostility results, then this is mainly and intolerance instead of Estelle Morris promollug mutual understanding and so increases divisions in society.
In Scotland and Northern the Protestant/ Catholic schooling divide has contributed to recent conflicts such as at Holy Cross primary school, Belfast.
Many parents and educationalists want ethnically mixed schools, are against religious schools and are supporters of true comprehensive echication. As Socialists, we should stand WiTN these people and against the assaults on comprehensive schools by successive governments.
The increase of market forces in education (via league tables, increased selection, performance related pay based on exam results etc) has resulted in schools being negatively labelled by crude examination results.
Coupled with open enrolment, this has been a disaster for many so-called "failing" schools. Sink schools have been created by government initiative.
Religious schools are not the answer; they mere T encourage conflict between different groups and lead to the increased deprivation of working class pupils of all groups.
Outlook