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- Feb 7, 2013
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Madrassas are set to face tougher regulation and inspection in England under new Government plans.
Under the shake up, any after-school setting providing intensive education would have to register and be subject to official scrutiny.
The new regulations will likely apply to all institutions that offer more than eight hours of weekly tuition, which is expected to cover nearly all madrassas.
The new plans could also see madrassas banned from appointing unsuitable staff who failure to ensure the safety of children.
Other activities that would be banned include teaching that "promotes extreme views" or those deemed incompatible with fundamental British values.
The Government would also have new authority to impose sanctions on such institutions including banning offending individuals from working with children and in the most extreme cases, permanent closure.
Inspections could be carried out if parents or children expressed concerns.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "We recognise that many out-of-school education settings, including supplementary schools and tuition centres, do a great job in supporting children's education and development, but without proper oversight, there is a risk that some children attending them may be exposed to harm, including from extremism."
The announcement follows warnings from David Cameron last month over extremist teaching.
Speaking in Manchester, Mr Cameron told delegates at the Conservative Party Conference: "Let me be clear: there is nothing wrong with children learning about their faith, whether it's at madrassas, Sunday schools or Jewish yeshivas.
"But in some madrassas, we've got children being taught that they shouldn't mix with people of other religions; being beaten; swallowing conspiracy theories about Jewish people.
"These children should be having their minds opened, their horizons broadened, not having their heads filled with poison and their hearts filled with hate."
Source: The Telegraph
Under the shake up, any after-school setting providing intensive education would have to register and be subject to official scrutiny.
The new regulations will likely apply to all institutions that offer more than eight hours of weekly tuition, which is expected to cover nearly all madrassas.
The new plans could also see madrassas banned from appointing unsuitable staff who failure to ensure the safety of children.
Other activities that would be banned include teaching that "promotes extreme views" or those deemed incompatible with fundamental British values.
The Government would also have new authority to impose sanctions on such institutions including banning offending individuals from working with children and in the most extreme cases, permanent closure.
Inspections could be carried out if parents or children expressed concerns.
A Department for Education spokesman said: "We recognise that many out-of-school education settings, including supplementary schools and tuition centres, do a great job in supporting children's education and development, but without proper oversight, there is a risk that some children attending them may be exposed to harm, including from extremism."
The announcement follows warnings from David Cameron last month over extremist teaching.
Speaking in Manchester, Mr Cameron told delegates at the Conservative Party Conference: "Let me be clear: there is nothing wrong with children learning about their faith, whether it's at madrassas, Sunday schools or Jewish yeshivas.
"But in some madrassas, we've got children being taught that they shouldn't mix with people of other religions; being beaten; swallowing conspiracy theories about Jewish people.
"These children should be having their minds opened, their horizons broadened, not having their heads filled with poison and their hearts filled with hate."
Source: The Telegraph
