Abolition of Faith Schools

This petition is in accordance with Article 9 of the Human Rights Convention 1998. Article 9 States "Freedom of Thought, Religion and Conscience." This is not upheld within schools when schools influence or pressurise pupils.

This petition is for the right of a pupil to learn of a variety of religions and choose or practice a religion if he/she likes without the objection of the school. To ban any school which is of one religion and teaches that religion to the pupils encouraging/forcing them to be part of/ join that religion in any way.

I want every school to teach non-denominationally and never to enforce or encourage their religion in any way. This would benefit children in a number of ways like giving them a broader view in religious matters which would make them more open-minded, a vaster knowledge of many more religions and it would actively promote independence of choice, conscious and religion which is an important life skill. This may also benefit some parents as if they want their child to learn a certain religion they will teach them themselves and this may develop the bond between some children and some parents.

I feel this way because my school teaches the Roman Catholic religion. I feel my school pressurises the children too much and this is why I feel my classmates deserve a better chance to have an opinion without pressure. I also feel my school is very reluctant to accept any other opinion rather than that of the schools. An example would be the fact I once tried to collect signatures from fellow pupils in order to ask for a bench in the playground but my signatures were immediately confiscated and not acknowledged. I worry that children will feel discouraged from making their own, independent decisions without being dependent on the school.