EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Islamic schools promote integration

Islamic schools promote integration

Introduction

Education Inspectorate, "Islamic schools further examined" 2003-17. Do Islamic primary schools contribute to the promotion of social cohesion?

Description

The teaching at Islamic school does not conflict with democratic principles in any way. This is an important conclusion from the study performed by the Dutch Education Inspectorate into the role Islamic schools play in the promotion of integration. The study also showed that the schools, to varying degrees, do promote the integration of their students. The educational opportunities offered to these students are no different, and sometimes even better, than in other schools with a similar student population.

Conclusions

The main conclusion is that there were no findings that give rise to concern or serious dissatisfaction.
The schools included in the study all, to a certain extent, promote the conditions that will contribute to the integration of students.
The educational opportunities Islamic schools offer to their students are not very different from (and sometimes slightly better than) similar schools (i.e. schools with an immigrant student population).
Most schools are making good progress when it comes to the improvement of the areas of concern pointed out to them based on the 2002 study.
Although the schools included in the study do comply with the basic principles when it comes to the content of their religious instruction, the Inspectorate does feel that in many of the school there is room for improvement when it comes to the educational and didactic quality. The Inspectorate also drew attention the administrative flimsiness of Islamic schools.

Contact info

Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, tel. +31 70 412 3456

Publication date

01/10/2003

Researcher

Education Inspectorate

Links

Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science

Islamitische scholen nader onderzocht (PDF, Dut, 500 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Education

Keywords

Primary education