"Many of the required areas of learning are covered but the school does not make sure that pupils gain technological skills or develop their creativity. Although almost all pupils speak Yiddish as their main language, English is not taught to pupils in year one or to the children in early years."
British Government Calls Out Satmar School Over Inadequate Secular Education
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Satmar’s Talmud Torah Yetev Lev in London is under fire from the government, the JC reported today.
The hasidic school has 794 students, all boys from 3- to 12-years-old.
After an emergency inspection in summer, Talmud Torah Yetev Lev was warned by Britain’s Department for Education to improve its physical building and take steps to protect the welfare and safety of its students.
Now the government has found further problems related to inadequate secular studies education.
Secular subjects are reportedly taught for only 90 minutes and don’t even begin until students enter second grade.
"Many of the required areas of learning are covered but the school does not make sure that pupils gain technological skills or develop their creativity. Although almost all pupils speak Yiddish as their main language, English is not taught to pupils in year one or to the children in early years,” the government says.
Some of the students were making adequate progress in math, but only a tiny number were able to do so in English.
The government also found that “fundamental British values" were not taught and students were not given adequate opportunity to "develop respect and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.”
Part of the complaints against the school involved lack of education against cyber-bullying. The students, however, aren’t even allowed by Satmar leaders to use the Internet.
Students were taught about respect for the elderly and disabled, but "they are not made aware of other ways in which people may be different, for example because of their sexuality or gender identity,” the government said.
But the school’s lack of adequate secular education is what will likely bring sanctions from the government – which could include forcing the school to close.
[Hat Tip: D.O.]
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