Education Policy Position Paper
Publication Date
September 2024
Publisher
Abstract
Not all children growing up in the charedi community are being denied secular education. However, many are. This paper sets out current loopholes and gaps in UK education policy and enforcement, and the implications for children, especially boys, growing up in the chassidic segment of the UK charedi community. We should note that similar issues arise in other countries with large chassidic communities.
However, irrespective of sex, or the type of institution, the systemic goal of the leadership in parts of the charedi community, is that the education in their schools should not provide children with access to a broad and balanced school education, nor access to further education. As a result, many charedi children are prevented from accessing the wider workforce, as there is no route to many career opportunities.
Restricting secular education limits the future autonomy of charedi boys due to lack of literacy, numeracy and recognised qualifications. For girls, the restriction on future autonomy is a consequence of the lack of access to KS5 qualifications and early arranged marriage, which can be socially coerced, and motherhood.
We have set out in this paper our suggested solutions; some of which would require primary legislation. Other solutions require secondary legislation, or simply improved oversight, enforcement and better funding.
We have set out the consequences of denial of secular education and lack of access to qualifications in addendum C. We have also set out more details on the diversity of the charedi community in addendum D. A glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms is set out in appendix 5.
However, irrespective of sex, or the type of institution, the systemic goal of the leadership in parts of the charedi community, is that the education in their schools should not provide children with access to a broad and balanced school education, nor access to further education. As a result, many charedi children are prevented from accessing the wider workforce, as there is no route to many career opportunities.
Restricting secular education limits the future autonomy of charedi boys due to lack of literacy, numeracy and recognised qualifications. For girls, the restriction on future autonomy is a consequence of the lack of access to KS5 qualifications and early arranged marriage, which can be socially coerced, and motherhood.
We have set out in this paper our suggested solutions; some of which would require primary legislation. Other solutions require secondary legislation, or simply improved oversight, enforcement and better funding.
We have set out the consequences of denial of secular education and lack of access to qualifications in addendum C. We have also set out more details on the diversity of the charedi community in addendum D. A glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms is set out in appendix 5.
Topics
Haredi / Strictly Orthodox Jews Jewish Education Education Main Topic: Education Policy Jewish Schools Law and Justice Governance, Oversight and Accountability
Genre
Geographic Coverage
Link
Link to article including link to pdf, Education Policy Position Paper
