PAISLEY - 11 October 2006 - 180 words
Scottish bishop hails Catholic education as 'jewel in the crown'
Bishop Philip Tartaglia has reignited the debate on faith schools by describing Catholic schools as the "jewel in the crown of Scottish education".
Bishop Tartaglia said the attainment record of pupils who attend denominational schools, allied to their discipline record, proved they were among the best in the country.
Speaking at the opening of the new St Andrew's Academy in Paisley, he pointed out that while Catholics make up 16 per cent of the Scottish population, their schools teach 20 per cent of the nation's pupils, proving their cross-community appeal.
The future of faith schools in Scotland has been the subject of controversy, with Muslim groups claiming they should also receive state funding to set up their own schools.
The Campaign for Muslim Schools has held talks with Glasgow City Council on the possibility of setting up a state-funded Islamic school. Osama Saeed, the group's spokesman, welcomed Bishop Tartaglia's comments.
The Scottish Executive says that decisions on the opening of new schools are a matter for individual local authorities.
Source: SCMO/JD
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