Clear benefits of faith schools

Sir, - Robert Canning in his letter(January 28) asks for evidence to support my assertion that religious observance is educational.

First of all we must look at the outcomes of the process of delivery of the curriculum. The evidence is to be found in a sociological study of schools by Edinburgh University around 1980.

This compared schools which had the same catchment area, that is, a housing scheme, where one school was nondenominational and the other denominational (in Scotland, a Catholic school).

This study involved schools in the central belt.

The relevant finding was the difference in performance of the denominational school where it was worth one equivalent of a Standard Grade pass more per pupil.

The only difference to account for this was the ethos of the denominational schools which were Christian and religious observance was a big part of this ethos. Therefore, religious observance is educational as it contributed to this educational outcome of enhanced performance.

The inspectorate advised every nondenominational school to devise its own mission statement, engaging parents and pupils to help schools improve.

Denominational schools attract pupils from all faiths (including Islam) and non-believers who accept the ethos of the school. Christians, Jews and Muslims all worship the same God.

I trust Mr Canning will now present his supporting evidence to show that withdrawing religious observance from all state schools will be of educational value to pupils in Scotland.

The only difference to account for this was the ethos of the denominational schools, which were Christian and religious observance was a big part of this ethos

Philip Kearns. 47 Grove Road, Dundee.