‘Yeshiva’ schools may face closure in education reforms

JEWISH “Yeshiva” schools could face being shut down after Nadhim Zahawi, the Education Secretary, unveiled a new crackdown aimed at unregistered educational institutions.

Yeshivas are unregistered religious schools, typically in an Orothodox Jewish community, where English is not spoken and academic subjects are not taught. The Department for Education announced yesterday that Ofsted’s powers to investigate illegal schools would be boosted, so that the inspectorate could support criminal prosecution in the case of unregistered full-time schools with “rapid action”.

The reforms announced following a consultation on the issue will mean that all schools for school-age pupils open for 18 hours a week or more at least partly during school hours will need to register.

However, under the new Government powers, Mr Zahawi would also be able to suspend registration of an independent school where there were “serious safeguarding failings which pose a risk of harm to students”. Poor safety and well-being and a narrow religious education are key concerns for children who attend unregistered schools.

The Association of Orthodox Jewish Schools and Organisations was approached for comment.