Hackney’s Orthodox Jewish community has raised concerns about the government’s new education bill, fearing it could violate religious freedoms.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would require parents to officially register children not in school, aiming to address educational gaps.
Rabbi Asher Gratt warns it could create an “intrusive system” that forces communities to compromise their beliefs.
Charedi boys attend yeshivas for religious instruction instead of following the state curriculum, and these schools don’t meet the official definition of a school.
The bill proposes to classify yeshivas as full-time educational institutions, requiring registration and inspections.
Hackney Council supports the bill, seeking more power to monitor unregistered educational settings, mainly yeshivas, out of safeguarding concerns.
However, Charedi leaders worry the bill’s vague definition of “suitable education” could impose secular standards on religious schools, forcing them to teach content that contradicts their beliefs.
Rabbi Gratt also questions the lack of evidence that Charedi education is failing children.
Orthodox man and child. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Hackney has struggled to track children in unregistered schools, particularly yeshivas.
Jim Gamble, the borough’s safeguarding commissioner, highlighted safety concerns and the difficulty in monitoring these schools as they relocate.
Education minister Stephen Morgan responded to the commission last month, asserting that the new law would grant organisations like Ofsted increased authority to inspect schools and investigate criminal activities.
Councillors remain uncertain whether the bill will effectively ensure child safety, with some fearing unintended consequences for the Orthodox Jewish community.
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HeadlineHackney’s Orthodox Jewish community outraged over ‘authoritarian’ schools bill
Short HeadlineHackney's Orthodox Jewish community outraged over 'authoritarian' schools bill
StandfirstThere is major concern within Hackney's Orthodox Jewish Community over new schools bill over religious expression concerns
Hackney’s Orthodox Jewish community has raised concerns about the government’s new education bill, fearing it could violate religious freedoms.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would require parents to officially register children not in school, aiming to address educational gaps.
Rabbi Asher Gratt warns it could create an “intrusive system” that forces communities to compromise their beliefs.
Charedi boys attend yeshivas for religious instruction instead of following the state curriculum, and these schools don’t meet the official definition of a school.
The bill proposes to classify yeshivas as full-time educational institutions, requiring registration and inspections.
Hackney Council supports the bill, seeking more power to monitor unregistered educational settings, mainly yeshivas, out of safeguarding concerns.
However, Charedi leaders worry the bill’s vague definition of “suitable education” could impose secular standards on religious schools, forcing them to teach content that contradicts their beliefs.
Rabbi Gratt also questions the lack of evidence that Charedi education is failing children.
Orthodox man and child. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Hackney has struggled to track children in unregistered schools, particularly yeshivas.
Jim Gamble, the borough’s safeguarding commissioner, highlighted safety concerns and the difficulty in monitoring these schools as they relocate.
Education minister Stephen Morgan responded to the commission last month, asserting that the new law would grant organisations like Ofsted increased authority to inspect schools and investigate criminal activities.
Councillors remain uncertain whether the bill will effectively ensure child safety, with some fearing unintended consequences for the Orthodox Jewish community.
