World views and education.

There was a "Thought for the Day” item on Radio 4 last week. It referred to the faith schools debate and why there is such passion surrounding the subject and why agreement is so difficult. The education debate is about more than syllabus, style or lesson content but behind it is a difference of world views.

He said there are three very different ways of approaching education that are based on the way we see humanity.

a)The secular view. This comes from the age of enlightenment.A child is seen as a blank canvas upon which education writes values, information and culture.

b)The Muslim view is that a child is born under Islam – Islam means the will of God. A child remains in the will of God until they reach an age of responsibility when they must choose to live under God’s will for themselves. Education is about informing that choice.

c)The Christian view is neither of these things but says that all people are born with a propensity to rebel against God. The thing they need most is rescue. Education is learning what is required in order for mankind to be restored to his original purpose both individually and in society.

Just thought it gave an interesting insight into the issues.