Bursary Cut: A Huge Blow to Catholic Schools in the UK
Religious education experts in the United Kingdom have criticized bursary cuts, calling the move a risk to the mission of Catholic schools.
A leading English Catholic religious education teacher has spoken out against the removal of a bursary for those training to become religious education teachers, warning 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 (approximately $13,000).
- The UK has announced that this figure will be reduced to zero for the year 2026-2027.
“There is huge concern about the impact of this decision,”said Andy Lewis, a religious education teacher and author, and assistant principal at St. Bonaventure Catholic Secondary School in London.
Lewis believes the move will have a significant impact on the ability of Catholic schools to recruit specialist religious education (RE) teachers.
Author's summary: Bursary cuts threaten Catholic schools' mission.