Bursary Cut: A Huge Blow to Catholic Schools in the UK
Religious education experts in the United Kingdom have criticized the bursary cuts, calling it a risk to the mission of Catholic schools.
A leading English Catholic religious education teacher, Andy Lewis, has spoken out against the removal of a bursary for those training to become religious education teachers.
“There is huge concern about the impact of this decision,”
Lewis, assistant principal at St. Bonaventure Catholic Secondary School in London, warned that the cuts will affect both the mission and leadership of Catholic schools.
- Currently, a person training to become a religious education teacher receives a bursary of 10,000 pounds (just over $13,000).
- The UK has announced that the figure would be reduced to zero for the year 2026-2027.
Lewis believes the move will have a significant impact on the ability of Catholic schools to recruit specialist religious education (RE) teachers.
Author: The bursary cut poses a significant threat to Catholic schools.