IN the current debate about "faith schools" and whether to have more or less, I believe that schools, colleges and universities should confine their remit strictly to education.

Religion is not and never likely to be an exact science as the ever

increasing variety of denominations and cults throughout the world testifies to. Religion should never form part of any school curriculum. It is a personal and/or traditional thing. If an individual wishes to pursue his or her religious needs, there are plenty of institutions outside school hours and boundaries, churches, mosques and synagogues etc. where those interests can be developed.

Religious instruction may lay down the rules for improving moral standards or prepare us for any future world beyond the present realm but let's leave the task of preparing children for life in this world to secular institutions where practical education will prove more beneficial to the pupil and the world in general.

Faith schools can only serve to emphasise and promote ethnic differences which we can well do without in the present social climate.

Jon Aylmer-Smith

Riversleigh Avenue, Lytham St.Annes.