LONDON — An increasing number of Scottish Roman Catholics are in favor of phasing out the system of separate Catholic schools that has been established in Scotland since 1918, according to a new poll.
Under the 1918 Act, a separate Catholic school has to be set up if the Catholic population of an area is large enough to warrant it.
The poll, conducted by the National Center for Social Research Scotland, found that 59 percent of those who described themselves as Catholics said that separate denominational schools should go, with 36 percent wanting to retain the status quo.
A similar survey 10 years ago found 47 percent against separate schools and 51 percent in favor. Among Scots as a whole the proportion wanting the system phased out is 81 percent, compared with 76 percent in 1992. Figures published in the Scottish Catholic Directory show Catholics are 13.5 percent of the Scottish population.
Share with others: