Lib Dems Reaffirm Reservations about Faith Schools

Liberal Democrat Conference overwhelmingly passed a motion setting out the party's serious concerns with the Free schools and Academies agenda of the Coalition Government.

One of these is the scope it offers for an increase in discrimination by faith schools within the state-funded education system. An amendment moved by Councillor Nader Fekri of Calderdale spelt out specific concerns surrounding the influence of faith schools.

Speaking in support of the amendment Arnie Gibbons, chair of the Liberal Democrat Humanist and Secularists, emphasised that the haste with which the coalition is moving is resulting in legislation lacking in scrutiny: "We are left with concerns over faith schools ability to: discriminate in pupil selection, teach creationism in science lessons, ignore the Personal Social and Health Education curriculum, discriminate in employment and deny children access to broad and balanced religious education"