Tuesday, August 18, 2015
NSS calls for new inspection of Islamic school that bans “socialising with outsiders”
Posted: Mon, 27 Jul 2015 11:07
The National Secular Society has written to the
Department for Education and Ofsted calling for a fresh inspection of an
Islamic school where pupils are reportedly banned from socialising with
"outsiders".
Sky News reported
on 25 July that the Tablighi Jamaat Islamic Institute of Education in
Dewsbury threatens students with expulsion if they socialise with
non-Muslims, and that boarders are banned from using televisions and
cameras, as well as music players, mobile phones and other "items that
are prohibited in Islam".
Pupils must wear strict Islamic dress and receive no formal sex education at the independent faith school.
However despite this, the last inspection by Ofsted in 2011 rated the school as "good".
Ofsted
praised the school for the "excellent tracking and assessment system in
place" for lessons on the memorisation of the Quran. The inspection
report said that "Qur'anic memorisation [is] outstanding."
The
2011 inspection found that "students have an excellent understanding of
their own Muslim culture" but have "no first-hand experiences" at all
to "extend their empathy with differing cultural groups in society both
at home and overseas."
The school says it aims to "create competent native Islamic scholars."
The
Ofsted report recommended that the school develop "links with other
schools to provide students with opportunities to socialise and learn
with their peers in different environments", which is in stark contrast
to the rules uncovered by Sky News which prohibit social interactions
with non-Muslims.
Since 2014, independent schools
have been required to "actively promote" the fundamental values "of
democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and
tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs."
The
National Secular Society has written to the Department for Education
and Ofsted calling for an inspection to take place under the new rules
as a matter of urgency.
Stephen Evans, National
Secular Society campaigns manager, said: "The most recent inspection of
the Tablighi Jamaat Islamic Institute of Education predates the revision
of the regulations, but we believe there are serious doubts as to
whether the school sufficiently met the standards in operation at the
time of its previous inspection.
"A fresh inspection
is therefore necessary to ensure that the school is meeting the New
Independent School Standards and adequately preparing its students for
life in modern Britain.
"It is important that
throughout all aspects of education there is an emphasis on the basic
values that underpin a free, equal and progressive society. No
establishment found to be involved in promoting ideas that are
counter-cohesive, separatist and contrary to the values outlined in the
standards should be permitted to operate as registered school."
The
National Secular Society responded to a Government consultation on the
new standards for independent schools in August 2014, and warned at the time
that any attempt to tackle extremism in schools would be "undermined by
an education system that encourages faith based schools and allows
children … to be separated according to the religious beliefs of their
parents."
The new guidance states that "pupils must
be encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with
respect and tolerance".
The Prime Minister recently
made a significant speech on tackling extremism in which he said that
"it cannot be right" that "people can grow up and go to school and
hardly ever come into meaningful contact with people from other
backgrounds and faiths."
While the NSS welcomed much of his speech, his refusal to tackle faith schools ignored a key factor which drives ethnic and social segregation in the UK today.
David
Cameron added that "you don't have to support violence to subscribe to
certain intolerant ideas which create a climate in which extremists can
flourish."
Mr Evans added, "The insular nature of the
Institute of Islamic Education and its prohibition on socialising with
non-Muslims sounds like a case study in what the Prime Minister warned
about. We hope a new investigation is carried out as soon as possible."
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