Faith Schools and Society: Civilizing the Debate

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- Do faith schools have a place in a plural society
- Which types of school contribute most effectively to a plural society

This fascinating monograph seeks to answer these questions and more by exploring the fit between personal, spiritual and academic goals in contemporary educational experience and individual school cultures.

Jo Cairns, a well-respected authority on faith schools, argues that educational ideology in plural societies has to find a way of recognizing and responding to the 'predicament' of pluralism as it is experienced by individuals and communities.

This provocative and challenging book will undoubtedly stimulate debate among educationists across the world.

Reviews

'Should plural societies operate pluralistic schools in which no one ideology prevails - other, of course, than the hidden ideology of assumed neutrality - or should they do justice to the idea of a plural society by allowing a range of faith schools to operate side by side This is fast becoming a pressing but disputed question in many countries. To produce this book Jo Cairns has toured some unexpected parts of the world in search of answers.' Jack Priestley, Research Fellow, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter, UK
'It is rare to find a work which skillfully combines rigorous empirical research and fluid, rich prose. In this work, Dr. Cairns accomplishes this feat around a much widely discussed and frequently emotionally charged topic, namely faith based schools. Her rich and extensive experience in researching various facets of schooling serve her well as she presents her findings. Especially welcome, and quite remarkable in my opinion, is the inclusion of the student voice. As Dr. Cairns indicates in her Introduction, she has "attempted to put individual school cultures and their student voices at the heart of the debate about faith schools." Her rigorous adherence to principles of empirical research, and her carefully nuanced interpretation of the findings are presented to advance conversations about education for and in pluralism. This makes for a most engaging, informative, and lively read. All who are concerned with education for and in a pluralist environment will benefit from this scholarly work.' Gloria Durka, Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education, Fordham University, USA

Author Bio

Jo Cairns was formerly Head of Religious Education at IOE, UCLs Faculty of Education and Society, University College London, UK, Head of Continuing Personal and Professional Development and Lifelong Learning, Westminster College, Oxford, UK, and Assistant Director at the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, UK.