Monicks: Unleashed

Tag: education

  • Richard Dawkins: Faith School Menace?

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    Aired August 18, 2010

    The number of faith schools in Britain is rising. Around 7,000 publicly funded schools – one in three – now has a religious affiliation.

    As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting ‘free schools’, the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough.

    In this passionately argued film, Dawkins calls on us to reconsider the consequences of faith education, which, he argues, bamboozles parents and indoctrinates and divides children.

    The film features robust exchanges with former Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, Head of the Church of England Education Service Reverend Janina Ainsworth, and the Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools, Dr Mohammed Mukadam.

    It also features insights from child psychologists and key players in faith education as well as insights from both parents and pupils.

    Dawkins also draws on his own personal history as a father, arguing that the government must stop funding new faith schools, and urges society to respect a child’s right to freedom of belief.

  • Government may give green light to atheist schools

    Plans to set up atheist schools could soon be given the green light by the Government.

    Education Secretary Michael Gove says he is open to the idea as part of reforms to his department, according to Premier Radio.

    The move comes after high profile anti-faith campaigner Professor Richard Dawkins suggested the idea.

    The Education Secretary said he would be “interested” to look at proposals for non-religious schools after Prof Dawkins, author of ‘The God Delusion’, said last month that he approved of the idea of setting up a “free-thinking” school.

    Ann Widdecombe, the former Home Secretary who is also a believer, said it is not something that should be opposed.

    She told Premier Radio: “If you can set up faith schools, then I think quite obviously you must also be allowed to set up a school that will cater for people whose parents are bringing them up specifically to have no faith.”

    Widdicombe added: “I think it is a great pity if somebody is brought up that way, but our job is to win those people over, not to look to the law to do it for us.”

    Addressing the House of Commons education select committee, Mr Gove said parents opposed to faith-based schools should be given more opportunities to educate their children in the way they want in the state education system.

    Around a third of the 21,000 state primary (elementary) and secondary modern (high schools) in England are currently faith schools. The majority are Anglican or Roman Catholic, with small numbers of Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu schools.

    By UK law, all other schools must provide religious education and stage a compulsory Christian assembly every day, although parents have the power to withdraw their children from attending.

    via christiantoday.com