-- Is it time to start closing down faith schools? Yes/No?
Greater regulation?
I don't think greater regulation is the answer,
one of the problems was that Ofsted yet again went into an educational / children institution and gave it an "outstanding" report only to be told later that like Haringey Council and other centres, there were undiscovered horrors. In this case it was horrendous teachings and radicalising preachers invited in to talk to young minds.
The regulation that is there must be made to work better and the bodies involved must do an educational job and not a Govt propaganda job. The documentary showed examples of muslim faith schools which were inclusive and did a good educational job so it's only fools who argue the whole of Islam is the problem. Islam itself isn't the problem, it's the interpretation put into it by different parties who can and do manipulate our laws to their own end.
The other question raised was "should faith schools be closed down?"
The Oldham example of segregated areas and insular societies within societies showed a logical conclusion to kids growing up unaware of each other and of the dominant culture of the country. I do think a body such as Ofsted should be much more rigorous in its dealings with faith schools although I personally think Ofsted itsef should have a complete clearout and start afresh with new staff and a whole new transparent process clear of any political agenda.
Faith schools must be made to demonstrate to the wider public their credentials and actions on inclusivitiy and preparation of citizens of this country. Those muslim faith schools investigated showed citizens being prepared for life in a society more like Saudi Arabia than that of the UK.
The one encouraging element of the whole programe was the fear and resentment
(shown by those abusing the faith school system and those radical clerics) of our liberal culture of freedom and liberty. The only way to truly change some of these problems is to educate all citizens of this country of our freedoms - that they are not reserved for white christian descendents only and that we have an expectation on any and all who settle or live here that these rights and liberties are for all - christian, atheist, muslim, jew, rastafarian, buddhist, male, female etc.
Giving in to preachers of hate on any side or ethnic group is not the answer and some of our newspapers need to be aware of their role in creating white preachers of hate too.