Why should the education of a child go hand in hand with a religious affiliation? Does school life need a religious angle? I am not talking about religious education as a subject. I am talking about faith schools.
Some children have religion forced on them in the home, that is bad enough. Governments are further endorsing this by providing schools which teach children to follow a certain religion.
My view is that a school should be a centre of education for children who live nearby. The subject of religion should be a subject on the curriculum but taught without any bias or religious angle. There is no need for children to worship in school.
I live in Birmingham UK and it is a multi cultural society. I am often baffled to hear that some parents send their child miles and miles across the city in order for them to attend a catholic school, or a muslim school.
As adults, we are encouraged to mix. Employment is supposedly an equal opportunity undertaking, so why do children get segregated in school?
Human rights protect people from forced religion, but it seems children are possessions and do not enjoy the rights as adults do to chose a particular faith or none at all.
I accept that parents will influence their children according to their own beliefs. The hours and hours children spend in school mixing with kids from all races and faiths would be a good balance.
