A set of rules aimed at promoting “British values” in schools could ban conservative Muslims from becoming governors, a religious rights group says. The new regulations follow allegations of a “Trojan Horse” plot to Islamisize schools in the UK.
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The Department of Education has introduced a new set of rules
governing free schools and academies in Britain. The regulations
dictate that school governors and trustees should demonstrate
“fundamental British values” and give the state powers
to close the schools if they do not toe the line.
“The Academy Trust must ensure that principles are promoted
which support fundamental British values,” say the rules.
These include respect for democracy and the democratic process,
support for gender equality and tolerance of different faiths and
religions.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MBC) argues the new rules are
discriminatory and allocate too much power to the Department of
Education to define “British values.”
A spokesperson from the organization told The Guardian that the regulations could bar
conservative Muslims from becoming school governors or trustees
and unfairly penalize them for participating in public life.
“As a matter of principle, to have so much power vested in
one hand is wrong. But then to have powers over an area over
which there is no consensus is, frankly speaking, quite
dangerous,” Talha Ahmad, a senior member of the MCB, told
The Guardian.
A representative from the Department of Education denied claims
that Muslims would be prevented from becoming governors and
trustees, maintaining diversity is always welcome in governing
bodies. However, the spokesperson said it is right that
“unsuitable people” should be barred from the role of
governor.
“We are clear that any behavior which undermines the
fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law,
individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with
different faiths and beliefs is incompatible with being a
governor in a state-funded school in England,” the DoE
spokesperson told The Guardian.
The new measures come as part of a Department of Education
response to the Trojan Horse scandal where an anonymous plot was
allegedly discovered to Islamisize UK schools. Following an
investigation into schools in Birmingham – where the plot was
initially reported – Britain’s chief inspector of schools said “a
culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip.”
As a result of the investigation, the Office of Standards in
Education placed five schools on a warning list. In addition, a
number of governors were banned from holding office.
In connection with the plot, a number of allegations have emerged
claiming that non-Muslim teachers were being forced out of
schools in Birmingham. In addition, the Telegraph reported
practices such as religious fasting and segregation of the sexes
being enforced in some schools.
In response to the scandal, Education Minister Michael Gove said
that in future UK schools will be required to promote “British
values.” Prime Minister David Cameron also condemned the reports
and said he wanted to start snap inspections in British schools.