Conservative Rishi Sunak likely to repeal '50 per cent rule' in Faith schools
File photo of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Faith schools in England may no longer have to offer a proportion of their places to children who do not follow their religion, according to the plans being considered by Downing Street.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government is reportedly exploring a repeal of the cap that was implemented by former Prime Minister David Cameron's government in 2010.
What does it mean?
The individuals reportedly involved in the formulation of new policies for faith schools also constitute the committee for making manifesto of the Conservative Party for January 2025 General Elections.
Also read |In UK, Sunak's Conservatives on course for worse general election result than 1997: Survey
There are suggestions that repealing the cap could be a key Conservative education pledge, The Times newspaper reported.
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But other sources cited by the newspaperhave suggested that No 10 is in advanced discussions about the policy and is expected to lift the cap before Rishi Sunak calls a general election.
What is '50 per cent rule'?
The cap introduced by Prime Minister David Cameron's government in 2010 required new free schools and academies of a religious character to advertise half of their places openly, without any reference to the faith of the applicants.
It applies only in areas where schools are oversubscribed and was intended to stop local children missing out on places at good schools because of their faith or lack of it.
About 850,000 children are educated in Catholic schools across England and Wales. The Catholic schools, therefore, are the largest provider of secondary education and the second-largest provider of primary education in England.
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The proposal to repeal the 50 per cent rule was repeated in the Conservative's 2017 election manifesto. But it never materialised after Prime Minister Theresa May's loss of party majority.
(With inputs from agencies)