Catholic pupils 'invited to sign anti-gay marriage petition'

[spacial]

I know this matter has been raised before, but I simply can't find the last topic.

Seems some RC Bishop has been writing to RC schools demanding that pupils oppose gay marriage.

Now it seems, his actions are illegal. It is not permitted, in England at least, to indoctrinate children, in school, with political views.

Nice to see the government making themselves useful for a change!

Education Secretary Michael Gove is to examine claims the Catholic Education Service (CES) broke impartiality rules on the topic of gay marriage.

It emerged this week that the CES wrote to nearly 400 state-funded Roman Catholic schools inviting them to back a petition against gay civil marriage.

Schools and teachers are forbidden to promote one-sided political arguments.

The CES has denied breaking any laws, saying Catholic views on marriage are religious, not political.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17883093

[Jamie D]

I suggest that if parents or students are uncomfortable with a private Catholic education, go to the state-sponsored schools instead.

[eli77]

I suggest that if parents or students are uncomfortable with a private Catholic education, go to the state-sponsored schools instead.

Um... "state-funded Roman Catholic schools." Where does it say private? These are state-sponsored schools.

[spacial]

Sarah's correct. Though religious schools are selective and exclusive, they are largely or wholly state funded. Kinda a throw back to the original working class schools which were provided mostly free by religions.

[Jamie D]

My bad.  I was being "Americo-centric." 

In the US, parochial schools do not receive much in the way of public funding, are private, and have considerable latitude in the curriculum they teach.

[Michelle.]

Just how well did those prior temperance or abstinence pledges turn out?

[justmeinoz]

Are we talking about High School students here?  I'd expect a fair few to refuse just to be difficult.

[spacial]

Not sure. But secondary (High) schools tend to be more obsessed with social class than religion. (Grammar, Secondary Modern, Comprehensive, prep, private, specialist).

I understand that some RC secondary schools are funded by the state, but most are largely private, as far as I know.

It seems a lot more likely this is a primary school. Being England, that will mean children leave at 11.