Comments on: Hindus also in faith-school tizzle

By: mk

mk — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:04:07 +0000

Its ironic that iskCON are playing a part in the running of this school when they don’t even use the ‘hindu’ tag….they claim they are not ‘hindus’ (well unless they want donations) yet are playing a full part in the running of a ‘Hindu’ school.

I agree with Sunny, such schools should never get the go ahead in the first place.Why anyone would want to send their kids to a school just so they can ‘mix with their ‘own’ ‘ is beyond me.

By: Natty

Natty — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:38:57 +0000

I would like to highlight that what Trevor Phillips fails to realise as he crawls ever rightwards is that most of the people who are segregating went to normal state schools yet faith schools get the blame for the lack of integration which normal state schools foster.

So surely rather than blame faith schools all schools should have a policy regarding the integration issue.

If a school is based upon faith then it will probably have programmes to meet with other faiths as part of the national curriculum.

By: The Common Humanist

The Common Humanist — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:16:58 +0000

Agreed. Faith Schools are divisive and I deeply resent the use of my hard earned tax pounds being spent on them.

How about this, if Harold Wilson or Edward Heath had, ala US style, forcibly integrated NI Schools as they did in the US in the 60’s with much success (Ok, until the GOP/KKK/Jim Crowites waded in but thats another story) would we have had the Troubles in the same way and would we now be seeing a calmer NI altogether? (The social/crime side of the IRA and the Loyalists has not gone away, for example)

By: Parvinder

Parvinder — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:01:08 +0000

We are truly witnessing, quoting Trevor Phillips, Britain “sleepwalking towards segregation”.

Personally, I’m against all faith schools. Despite having a Sikh faith school near us, we actually moved far away as possible so our son could mix with children of other faiths.
Although it wouldn’t make sense to abolish them, especially the Anglican and Catholic ones as there are so many of them, and you would also be depriving the parents’ right to send their kids there, state funding should be withdrawn. Having said that, a lot of them are very good academically.

I went to an all-faith state school and have turned out alright…(although some would disagree). Our RE teacher was a bit nutty though, on one occasion made us all literally hang on a big crucifix so to experience the pain Christ must have felt. So glad he didn’t nail us to it although I think he may have wished it upon some of us.

By: Morgoth

Morgoth — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:34:13 +0000

This is one of those slightly disturbing occasions where I agree with S. Hundal, Esq.

“Faith schools” are nothing more than religion brainwashing vulnerable children. They should be all shut immediately, and all religious bullshit removed from the classroom. Schools should be for learning, not for the propagation of superstitious bullshit.

By: vader

vader — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:46:24 +0000

sofia.. my dear, learn to read.

By: Cover Drive

Cover Drive — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:32:46 +0000

“Because the Krishna-Avanti school was offered state-funding and is being allowed to open as a ‘Hindu’ rather than an ‘ISKCON’ school, that is what it should be, a truly Hindu school that serves and reflects the wider Harrow Hindu community with its kaleidoscopic Hindu diversity.”

Considering the very strict admissions policy I don’t the above statement is truthful. Clearly the school is targeting a particular group of Hindus. Pity really because Hinduism is a very diverse religion.

By: swaraj

swaraj — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:50:57 +0000

This has been rumbling for ages. Basically ISKON has got great influence within both HCUK & HFB and so they want to make sure that their version of hinduism the one that is used. But its completely ridiculous – that’s not what hindus do. They are free to pray how they wish. Those at the Bhativenta Manor in Watford are good guys but its their way or not at all.

I’m quite surprised that the HFB are quiet as its known that they do not like the HCUK.

Faith based schools are a bad idea – education should be for teaching not indcotrinating.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:30:57 +0000

Vader..that’s hari krishnas..who have their own issues with mainstream hindus in this country…

By: vader

vader — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:17:56 +0000

This is a blessing for heterodox, meating eating, alcohol swilling mainstream hindus. I am sure that many are relieved that their kids are spared the fate of being brainwashed into grubby weirdly dressed morons who frequent airports and high streets begging for money.

By: sonia

sonia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:10:23 +0000

but doesn’t this imply that they wont have kids whose parents aren’t religious?
sounds like soon they wont have anyone left who will be eligible.
anyhow, how can public funds be used towards such non-inclusive educational environments? if its a private school that’s another matter, but if its state funded, i dont see how they can go around excluding people on the basis of religion.

By: sonia

sonia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:05:54 +0000

Bizarre this whole thing.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:48:01 +0000

maybe they should invent a religiosity ph test for parents…

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:42:52 +0000

When I was looking into the Jewish schools in London for my young cousins, who may be moving here from Israel and want some continuity, I found the whole set up really problematic.

For a start, all the schools I could find were Orthodox, which brings with it its own bundle of fun.

But also, in order to prove Jewishness, parents have to submit a whole bunch of documents, including marriage certificate.

Ostensibly, this is meant to show they had a religious wedding, but actually sends out the message that even the most religious kid is sub-par if their parents are not married.