The UK government is considering the removal of a cap that currently restricts new faith-based free schools from selecting more than 50% of their students based on religion. This proposed change has ignited a heated debate concerning its potential to exacerbate religious and racial segregation in schools and undermine societal integration.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan praised the standards and values upheld by faith schools, mentioning her personal experience in a Catholic school, and highlighted their positive impact on young people. The Catholic Education Service has backed the proposal, citing that the existing cap has obstructed the development of new Catholic free schools.

However, the plan has faced significant opposition from various quarters, including educationists, humanists, and some religious leaders. Critics such as former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, authors Philip Pullman and Ian McEwan, and Humanists UK’s chief executive Andrew Copson argue that allowing 100% religious selection could deepen social divisions, discriminating against children based on religion and hindering community cohesion.

Moreover, the National Secular Society and a majority of the public have expressed concerns, with a Populus survey indicating 80% opposition to religious discrimination in state education. There are fears that enabling schools to fully segregate by faith could particularly impact minority and immigrant families, further complicating the existing challenges in British communities, reminiscent of educational divides in places like Northern Ireland.

The government plans to conduct a consultation on this proposal, which includes considerations for faith-based academies for children with special educational needs and disabilities. While some faith groups support the initiative, seeing it as beneficial to local communities, the overall reaction remains deeply divided. The final decision on this policy change is pending further review and discussions within the wider community and educational circles.