30th September 2008
CES response to Welsh Learner Travel Measure re: free transport for children attending schools with a religious character.
I have been interested to read of the Welsh Assembly Government proposals for providing and funding transport to schools. I applaud the move to enable pupils to have free transport to their nearest available Welsh medium school, even if another school is closer. For those who seek such an experience, schooling in the Welsh language is an important matter of personal identity and values. We support the recognition of these factors and the respect for them that is indicated by the Welsh Assembly Government policy to promote access to Welsh medium education.
In the light of this move, however, it is impossible to understand the Welsh Assembly Government’s retrograde step in not allowing for the necessary financial support to enable parents to know that their children will be eligible for free transport to schools with a religious character where that is the education that the parents seek. Article 2 of the first protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights enshrines the right of parents to ensure their children receive an education in line with the parents’ own religious convictions. Yet the Welsh Assembly Government would undermine this by making transport less favourable in the circumstance of attending a school with a religious character whilst at the same time championing the option of attending a Welsh medium school without the impediment of transport costs to the parent. This incomprehensible action cannot be right and fair.
I very much hope that the Welsh Assembly Government will reconsider its intentions and demonstrate its respect for human rights in an appropriate manner in relation to the provision of transport to schools with a religious character.
Oona Stannard
Chief Executive and Director
Catholic Education Service for England and Wales
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