In Good Faith: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

Faith-based schools are becoming increasingly popular. However, critics argue that some discourage critical thinking, and can damage social cohesion by fostering insularity.

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What are the implications for society if students are increasingly isolated in schools that define themselves by religion? What happens when a Christian school meets an Islamic school for an interfaith exchange?

In 2006, faith-based schools received $1.8 billion in federal funds and a further $679 million from state governments. Nearly half a million students are currently enrolled in these schools.

Insight takes a look inside Christian, Jewish and Islamic schools to see what they are teaching, and how they are teaching it. And what happens when God collides with the curriculum?

Meet the Guests

Barry McGaw

Barry McGaw is the head of the national Curriculum Board. He is also Director of the University of Melbourne's new Melbourne Education Research Institute (MERI).

Stephen Law

Stephen Law, Stephen is the author of ‘The War for Children’s Minds’. He is also the editor of the Royal Institute of Philosophy journal THINK and is currently senior lecturer in philosophy at Heythrop College, University of London.

Irfan Yusuf

Irfan began his education in Australia, then moved to Pakistan where he attended a religious Madrassa after normal schooling hours. Next stop was the U.S. state school system where he felt most akin with the Jewish students. To complete his schooling career Irfan returned to Australia. He is currently a practising lawyer with Sydney Lawyers.