Hi John and Michael
In the UK, Church schools are particularly attractive to parents. Indeed,
parents will lie/cheat and claim a Catholic affiliation for their kids to get
into one. Thus, they are over-subscribed. The main reason is because there is
an expection that discipline is better generally compared to the state schools.
One reason for this concern over discipline is because the UK has a problem
with social class. Many from the working class are not pro education and thus
difficult in schools. It is the middle classes who value education highly and
probably gain much more than they would intellectually merit compared to many
bright working class kids. Herein lies a major dilemma.
Tony Blair was particularly supportive of faith schools and we now have
subsidised Anglican, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu schools alongside
mainstream schools. Notwithstanding the support for such schools by parents, I
believe that faith schools do not help generate cohesion in a society. I would
prefer if they were gradually dismantled and resources spread to all children
irrespective of their religious denominations. There is some such discussion in
Canada too about this, but probably, the faith schools have become rather
entrenched in the system to bring an end to what I consider the nonsence of
faith schools subsidised by the state. They could always be entirely private in
a democracy and I would not have a quarrel with that as the numbers would
inevitebly shrink in such schools.
My views would be contrary to many Catholic parents. However, for me, the
benefit of the many in a given state is more important then the minority who
benefit (as illustrated by you) within a hot-house religious atmosphere. Above
all, I do not believe that faith schools are a force towards integrating
citizens in a state.
Furthermore, as regards Catholic schools here, their academic results to do
not compare well at all with state schools. I believe there is an overemphasis
on generating docile/obedient pupils when what is needed is more open-minded
schooling where ideas are challenged and there is much creative work undertaken
instead of learning by transmission and parrot fashion. Today's need is for
inquisitivity at all levels of skill development. Yesterday, docility may have
been more important where knowing one's place in society was paramount instead
of challenging the status quo including the notions of religious belief.
In sum, I think responses to this issue will vary greatly depending on the
circumstance in which people find themselves.
Cornel DaCosta, London, UK.
John DSouza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Dear Goo-Netters,
I feel very very strongly that ALL Catholic children
should attend Catholic institutions as far as
possible.
