The UK Department for Education has rushed out new standards
for independent schools in the wake of the controversy over Islamisation in
several schools in Birmingham. The
standards seem to have been written by a socialist-dominated committee, since
they require all independent schools to “actively promote” the protected
characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 (ignoring the contradiction of an ‘Equality
Act’ that considers certain characteristics as especially equal; schools are
currently merely required “not to discriminate” on these characteristics). The
standards also explicitly sideline the views of parents, and allow people to
sue schools over the content of the curriculum. If the standards are implemented,
then (in theory) a school could fail its OFSTED inspection or be sued for
failing to promote LGBT Awareness Month, or a school governor could publicly
rebuke a parent for telling her child that other religions are wrong. The
Department claim that the fast-track consultation process (six weeks long,
which overlapped with summer holidays) was adequate, but the Christian Institute
says that less than 0.5% of schools directly affected are known to have
responded. The Institute has written to the Department threatening a judicial
review unless the consultation period is extended.
Meanwhile in Fremont, California, parents are pressuring the
school district to withdraw a new “health” book for secondary schools that
covers topic including oral sex, bondage, sex toys and drug use. Their biggest objection is that the book gives no indication that such activities are not normal.
A blue plaque that marked the Belfast birthplace of Chaim
Herzog, a former president of Israel, has been removed “for the foreseeable
future” because of vandalism to the plaque and to the house. A city councillor
said, “This is a shocking indication of the level of tension and anti-Semitism
which currently exists in parts of Belfast.” The same councillor is also campaigning
for the city council to withdraw permission for George Galloway to use the
Ulster Hall for a speaking engagement, because of Galloway’s widely publicised desire
to bar all Israelis from entering the UK.
Meanwhile, a large Christian festival (Momentum, in Shepton
Mallet, run by Soul Survivor) has withdrawn permission for an exhibition stand
by the charity Christian Friends of Israel, on the grounds that it could stir
up controversy over the conflict on Gaza.
In sport, Jo Pavey, who won bronze in the 5,000 metres race
at the Commonwealth Games at the age of 40, has taken gold in the 10,000 metres
at the European Championships. The early pace of the race was very slow, which
suited the fast-finishing Pavey.
In technology news, tax discs for cars are to be replaced by
an electronic registration system (and automatic numberplate recognition) from
October 1 this year. Existing tax discs will remain valid unless the car is
sold. The paper section of the UK driving licence will also be phased out from January
next year.
And finally, an innovative new marketing method at a
supermarket in Copenhagen allows shoppers to order food for free. For a ₤2 monthly
fee, customers are allowed to pre-order up to 10 items per month and take them
home free as long as they write an online review of the product within a
reasonable time. The same “tryvertising” concept has also been applied to hire
cars (for hotel residents) and coffee (at bus stops).
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