Matthew Taylor, the former Labour Party Director of Policy and Head of Tony Blair’s Number 10 Policy Unit, has criticised the expansion of state funded faith schools for undermining integration in society. Speaking to The Independent in his capacity as Chair of the Social Integration Commission Mr Taylor observed in regards to the Government opening more faith schools and free schools:
“… sometimes it pursues policies which are anti-integration and it isn’t sufficiently aware of that … schools are too divided in their intake and not enough is being done to overcome that … Britain’s becoming more diverse and if we don’t think about this and we’re not willing to act on it, the danger is that we’ll become more separate … There’ll be far too many places which feel like they’re just for the well-off and far too many places which feel like they’re just for the poor; there’ll be far too many schools which feel like they’re just for one minority group or just for one social class … You can’t deny people’s desire for faith schools if you support faith schools. What you can do is to really demand that those schools demonstrate that they are actively working to connect with other schools of other faiths and no faith … I think schools should be asked to report on their level of integration and their strategies for integration”
Chair of the Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, said ‘Matthew Taylor’s comments about the negative impact on integration due to segregation in the school system and Government complacency on the issue should send an urgent wakeup call to policy makers. The current direction of education policy is steering society towards ugly ethnic and social divisions, when schools should be engines rooms for the growth of mutual understanding and respect.’
Matthew Taylor was speaking upon publication of a report by the Social Integration Commission that assesses that a lack of integration in the UK costs the economy £6 billion a year. The figure is based on the estimated cost from people living more ethnically and socio-economically isolated lives upon career progression, long term unemployment and community health and well-being. The figure corresponds to about 0.5 per cent of the UK’s GDP and amounts to about £100 for every person.
Rabbi Romain, said ‘The research provides a reminder of the financial burden from missed opportunities and unfilled potential due to people living segregated lives. An inclusive society that is at ease with itself will be more fulfilling and prosperous for everyone. Any serious debate about integration in society must examine how our schools can break down, rather than erect barriers.’
