Key events in the controversy over state funding of Islamic schools in Great Britain---The Veil 2000

Key Events in the Controversy over State Funding of Islamic Schools in Great Britain

*COUNTDOWN TO FUNDING EQUALITY FOR MUSLIMS*

December 1983	Muslim community writes to Secretary of State enquiring about state funding for the Islamia primary school in Brent, London. Response outlines criteria for consideration.

April 1986	Formal application for state funding is submitted to the then Department of Education and Science.

May 1990	Application is rejected

May 1992	Muslims apply to the High Court for a judicial review of Secretary of State's decision. He is ordered to reconsider his ruling.

August 1993	Secretary of State again rejects the application, on the grounds that there are surplus places in local schools.

September 1994	Parents of children a Al Furqan primary, Birmingham, vote to apply for grant-maintained status. School holds discussions with Funding Agency for Schools, the GM quango, and Birmingham Education Authority on its future.

March 1995	Discussions begin between Islamia school and the FAS with a view to applying for GM status.

January 1997	Proposals for GM status at Islamia and Al Furqan are published.

January 1998	Approval granted to both schools by Education and Employment Secretary, David Blunkett.

Source: Times Educational Supplement, January 16, 1998.