Houses and shops to become schools

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/2ugd6mr

/// Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, described it as a retrograde step that would lead to planning gridlock and social division.///

I do not know about the planning gridlock, but I do agree with her regarding the social division it will create.

Will this be the opportunity that the Muslim communities have been waiting for, a chance for them to set up their own Muslim schools?

[jb190281]

I havent got a particular opinion on this article but why do you single out Muslims in your question?

[boxtops]

It will be the chance for many to set up their own schools, not only the Muslims (who do have some already). Why single them out?

[ChuckFickens]

There is not a single mention of Muslims in that story, this time I'm afraid that you are posting your own agenda and it's not even related to the news.

[modeller]

This could be a good thing as long as it not restricted on faith grounds which are very divisive. If a group wants a faith school then let it be at their expense. I don't want my money being used for doctrinal purposes .

[anotheoldgit]

The reason I highlighted Muslims was the fact that although the majority of them chose to live in a majority Christian country, they refuse to integrate into our society.

The following is an excerpt from the link below.

/// Muslims will continue to distrust the state system and will continue to feel frustrated (even if schools try to meet some of these requirements) until they feel that they have a considerable degree of involvement in the decision-making processes and have some control, power or authority over their
childrens’ educational diet.///

http://www.metrust.de...s1211/issues83-90.pdf

If they feel their children are likely to be corrupted in some way by Western debauched ways, from the teachings in our state schools, why don't they have their children educated in an Islamic country?

[derekpara]

As an ex-teacher I believe that all faith schools are very divisive.

As for parents setting up their own schools the idea seems very good, superficially, but. my experience is that most parents rarely want to become involved with PTAs , governing boards etc and most don't even tirn up for parents' evening, certainly at non-selective secondary school level beyond year eight. Those interested parents on TV seem to have children approaching secondary school and are probably concerned about the state of local schools to which the children are destined and want to have control over things like discipline, behaviour, teaching standards etc. Well, I think they will be disappointed.

Firstly, they will not be able to select their pupils by ability or social background and will have to comply with national requirements.

Secondly, what will happen to the school when the founders' children leave ? Will sufficient number of new parents step forward to take over ?

How will founders react when their own children face disciplininary measures, or even expulsion?. My experience is that all parents want discipline but rarely when it's applied to their own off-spring, choosing to accept their children's version of events and rarely backing the school. A cynical attitude ? Ask any non-selective secondary school teacher.

D

[modeller]

I agree with you derkpara concerning parental influence in a school. You see that with parent governors who oppose head teachers when it affects their children and for that matter many teachers resent their own children who are in the school being disciplined.
I noticed that the NUT oppose the idea which doesn't surprise me as it is run by the activists ( which is the case in most organisations ) which usually means very left wing.
The NUT have always backed the concept of centrally backed comprehesive schools despite years of their failures . So free schools is an anathema to them.

[saxy_jag]

If this is a 'majority Christian country', why do mosques/gurdwaras/synagogues etc. have higher attendances that churches?

And what is so wrong with offering ordinary people a choice of education for their kids?