End Faith Tests and Segregation in Schools - HARRIS

12.01.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Nov 2006

On Wednesday 1st November, Dr Evan Harris MP, Liberal Democrat member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, has secured a 90 minute adjournment debate on 'Admissions and Employment Policies of Faith Schools'.

Dr Harris said:

"This is the first opportunity in many years for MPs to debate this important issue. I will be calling for an end to religious selection in state schools - including faith schools (both new and existing) on the basis that it is wrong in principle, breaches the separation of state and religion, discriminates against non-religious families (who have no schools where they are given preference) and is bad for social cohesion as it can and often does exacerbates segregation."

"Why should a child of the wrong faith or of no faith be excluded from her nearest state-funded school when other children are "bussed in" from further away because their parents are - or claim to be - followers of a particular religious belief. Many MPs of all parties share my views on this issue, as do the public, the vast majority of whom are opposed to segregation of children in schools on religious lines.

Dr Harris will also raise the issue of religious discrimination exercised by faith schools in the appointment of teachers which the Government has just extended to cover more school staff without consultation.

"It is unfair to appoint, promote or sack teachers on any grounds other than teaching ability. State schools are not places for teachers to proselytise and teachers should not be employed on their ability to do so.

The Unions are also opposed to this form of employment discrimination which renders non-religious teachers at a disadvantage, facing possible career-blight when vying with religious candidates for teaching posts.

"It is not a school's business what a teachers religious or moral views are as long as they teach the curriculum effectively. Schools should be employing the best, most inspiring teacher for their pupils, not simply the candidate with the requisite religious or moral views."