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Schools 'are Under Attack From Religious Groups', Head Of Ofsted Warns
One of the biggest threats to education in Britain is schools coming under attack from religious groups wanting to change how they operate, the head of Ofsted has warned.
Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said ministers and local authorities must do more to support schools that come under “undue influence” from religious and community groups.
Throwing her weight behind those that stand up to pressure groups, Ms Spielman said it is often young girls who end up having their rights curtailed. In a letter to MPs, she included “community pressure” on a list of what she believes are the “major risks” to quality of education and school effectiveness.
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Time to say a decisive ‘No’?
Chief inspector Amanda Spielman said ministers and local authorities must do more to support schools that come under “undue influence” from religious and community groups.
Throwing her weight behind those that stand up to pressure groups, Ms Spielman said it is often young girls who end up having their rights curtailed. In a letter to MPs, she included “community pressure” on a list of what she believes are the “major risks” to quality of education and school effectiveness.
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Time to say a decisive ‘No’?
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I don't think I *am* having it both ways. As far as I can see I'm arguing for consistent treatment of religion and religious freedom. Respecting the customs of Ramadan is, by definition, a part of that. It's not quite the same as starvation, since a second part of the tradition is, after all, the feasting after sunset.
Freedom of religious expression is something that needs to be balanced against other freedoms. It's not an easy balance. I'm inclined to think, though, that as long as the family in question has discussed it and is practising Ramadan as part of a loving familial relationship, then where is the problem? Also, what exactly are you proposing to replace it? I'm happy to support the idea of encouraging more thought about Ramadan but in the end it is the choice of the child and the parent how their religion is practised and observed. It's not clear to me how the state can intervene here, short of suppressing religion in a manner that is frankly unacceptable.
Jim, where the welfare of children is concerned the authorities should and do step in. Religion is not an acceptable excuse for the mistreatment of children - and obliging then to go hungry from dawn until dark is mistreatment. Religion should be afforded no concessions. I really don’t understand anyone who thinks that’s acceptable.
Where parents are as thick as two short planks, even for reasons of religious observance, the authorities should step in with a big dose of common sense.
Immigrants should agree to British norms before being allowed in to our country to pollute it with primitive beliefs. I bet this gets answer removed!
Immigrants should agree to British norms before being allowed in to our country to pollute it with primitive beliefs. I bet this gets answer removed!
“…does the state have a right to run roughshod over the rights of the family?”
Yes. The State has plenty of areas where it has a right to overrule family practices. Denying children food and drink for sixteen hours a day in warm weather is definitely one of them. The State has a duty to protect children if their parents will not do so and denying them liquid is not doing so.
“Also, what exactly are you proposing to replace it?”
Nothing. The practice may have had some basis 1400 years ago but it has no place in the 21st Century.
“…in the end it is the choice of the child and the parent how their religion is practised and observed. It's not clear to me how the state can intervene here, short of suppressing religion in a manner that is frankly unacceptable.”
Parents do not have inalienable rights to treat their children as they wish and harmful practices in the name of religion are no exception. I’m no supporter of the Nanny State but there is clearly a need to protect children when such ridiculous practices are forced upon them. Suppressing this particular aspect of religion when practiced on children is perfectly acceptable to me.
Yes. The State has plenty of areas where it has a right to overrule family practices. Denying children food and drink for sixteen hours a day in warm weather is definitely one of them. The State has a duty to protect children if their parents will not do so and denying them liquid is not doing so.
“Also, what exactly are you proposing to replace it?”
Nothing. The practice may have had some basis 1400 years ago but it has no place in the 21st Century.
“…in the end it is the choice of the child and the parent how their religion is practised and observed. It's not clear to me how the state can intervene here, short of suppressing religion in a manner that is frankly unacceptable.”
Parents do not have inalienable rights to treat their children as they wish and harmful practices in the name of religion are no exception. I’m no supporter of the Nanny State but there is clearly a need to protect children when such ridiculous practices are forced upon them. Suppressing this particular aspect of religion when practiced on children is perfectly acceptable to me.
It seems that once children reach puberty they are expected to respect the Ramadan rules, jd. Considering that this can occur at quite a young age they clearly are still in need of parental guidance. They can do without parents who guide them to deprive themselves of food and drink for sixteen hours a day for a month in the name of some religious mumbo-jumbo.
A bit of religion does no harm at all - start the day with a hymn and a prayer I say, just like I did;
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