Religion, schooling and the state: negotiating and constructing the secular space

Authors

  • Leslie Bash UCL Institute of Education, University College London

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/reec.33.2019.22327

Keywords:

Comparative Religions, Comparative Education, Secular space

Abstract

As a prelude to the paper it should be stated that its genesis originates in conference presentations delivered on two separate occasions to two separate audiences. The first was to a mixed group of teacher educators, Roman Catholic priests and nuns, as well as others from diverse religious traditions, at a one-day conference on religion and pluralism held in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The expressed focus for this conference was ‘inter-faith’ but with the addition of a secular dimension. The second presentation was to an international group largely comprised of comparative education scholars in Glasgow, Scotland. Although the two presentations were broadly similar in content the Dublin paper had a distinct orientation. Given that the publicly-funded Irish school system was characterised by a strong involvement of religion (Department of Education and Skills, 2017) – in particular, that of the Roman Catholic Church, the dominant tradition in that country – the Dublin presentation pursued an approach which sought to widen the educational agenda. Specifically, it focused upon the continuing discussion concerning the role of secularity in school systems where confessional approaches to religion were sanctioned by the central state. On the other hand, the Glasgow presentation was more ‘academic’ in tone, seeking to re-position secularity and religion in a non-oppositional relationship which was, in turn, argued to be functional for 21st education systems.

 

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Author Biography

Leslie Bash, UCL Institute of Education, University College London

Leslie Bash holds an Honorary Readership at the UCL Institute of Education, University College London where he is Director of the International Centre for Intercultural Studies. In addition, he is also Reader in Jewish Education at Leo Baeck College, London, and is currently secretary general of the International Association for Intercultural Education. He was previously based at Anglia Ruskin University where he was Principal Lecturer in Education and director of the Doctorate in Education programme. Having graduated in sociology and having obtained a teaching certificate he subsequently taught social studies in London secondary schools and, at the same time pursued postgraduate studies in education, eventually gaining a PhD in comparative education. He has published widely, having authored, co-authored, edited and contributed to a number of volumes, as well as journal articles, in urban, international and intercultural education. Among his research interests are religion, the state and education; diversity, equity and education; intersectionality and cultural issues in education.

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Published

2019-01-25

How to Cite

Bash, L. (2019). Religion, schooling and the state: negotiating and constructing the secular space. Revista Española De Educación Comparada, (33), 12–27. https://doi.org/10.5944/reec.33.2019.22327

Issue

Section

MONOGRAPHIC SECTION: Comparative Religions

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