When the then Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn launched an independent forum on patronage and pluralism in primary schools in 2011, I don’t believe that he or any of those present imagined that 14 years later there would have been little or no change in the status quo. Although there has been widespread agreement between stakeholders and explicit support from Catholic patrons for the ‘handing over’ of schools it remains the case that over 94% of primary schools are still under denominational patronage, 88% Catholic and just over 6% other largely Church of Ireland. True, there have been a small number of successful ‘reconfigurations’ and there are now 27, multidenominational community national schools under the patronage of 8 Education and Training Boards. However, 14 years on from the launch of the forum, the transfer of patronage, the Holy Grail of Irish education, remains elusive.
We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it”
Everyone it seems wants progress, but few want the disruption it brings. Falling birth rates mean that while we may be concentrating on Patronage and Ethos the harsh unpalatable reality is that we need to close some schools. Like the closure of rural Garda Stations and Post Offices the closure of any primary school will be vehemently opposed by local people ably supported by local politicians who adhere to Michel Junker’s political paradox, “We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it”
A new hope?
On Monday last, the Department of Education and Youth launched the most extensive national survey ever undertaken in Ireland to assess parental preferences in primary school provision. The announcement was widely welcomed by all stakeholders in education including parent bodies, teacher unions, patrons, management bodies and all Catholic education bodies. This latest initiative presents many challenges but can and should be embraced as an opportunity. As ever, the challenges will be amplified by those on the fringes who hold extreme, intolerant views who may use caricature and misinformation to divide.
This survey is not a referendum on Catholic education, but it is a moment to reflect on, and to affirm the enduring value of Catholic schools and the key role played by patrons and trustees in Catholic education. It is also an opportunity, in advance of the planned Education Convention, to consider how we imagine the future and how Catholic patrons and trustees will engage and contribute constructively to conversations on Ireland’s evolving educational and cultural landscape.
I hope that this survey and wider process will help us to be proactive rather than defensive and will help us focus in on two key questions for Catholic education.
How many schools under Catholic patronage are required to serve the mission of the Catholic Church in Ireland?
What structures and resources will be needed to provide meaningful and sustainable support to schools?
What is Catholic education?
Most people’s appreciation of Catholic education is shaped, understandably by their immediate personal experience. Primary schools in Ireland, almost without exception are welcoming, inclusive, hope-filled and joyous places. Whereas the census data is consistent in terms of the fall off in numbers of those who define themselves as Catholic all the available data related to schools shows high levels of support for Catholic primary schools. All schools are subject to different forms of regular inspection that routinely involve surveys of parents and students. The results of these surveys suggest remarkably high levels of satisfaction. Our primary school principals, staff and schools enjoy the kind of support that those who work in other state agencies might only dream of.
The survey is not a referendum on Catholic education. As a tool to assist in future planning it is asking all the right questions…well all bar one”
The survey is not a referendum on our schools. It is the latest instalment in a longstanding, and I feel a sincerely held ambition to diversify school patronage and to expand parental choice. In the survey, parents are being asked three apparently very simple either/or questions: Is your preference for a single-sex or co-educational setting? Would you prefer English or Irish as the language of instruction? Do you prefer a religious or multi-denominational ethos? The two questions about language and setting are pretty one dimensional. The question of Ethos is more complex and requires more discernment. The survey will run until December 16. During that time, I hope that this publication and many others will help to lead a discussion and a journey through the complexities and tangible benefits of Catholic education.
The survey is not a referendum on Catholic education. As a tool to assist in future planning it is asking all the right questions…well all bar one.
I would strongly advise the Minister to boost participation levels in the survey by sending an information leaflet to all homes and to add a fourth question to the survey. Something like this…
The government currently spends 2.8% of GDP on education from early childhood to third level, we are ranked last among our peers in the OECD. That has been the way for decades. Would you like that to continue? Would you like us to reduce or increase the spending on education.
The underfunding of education in all sectors has long been a hidden national disgrace. All primary schools operate under severe financial constraints meaning the Boards of Management (all of whom are volunteers), Principals and staff have to fundraise and produce daily miracles to keep the show on the road. It is good that we are consulting parents but let’s be honest about the real issues in primary education.
Dr Nicholas Cuddihy has recently established CESS, Catholic Education Supports and Services with the ambition and vision to enhance and support the work of Patrons and Trustees. He has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Catholic education in his career as a catechist, a school leader, a researcher and as the Chief Executive in Catholic trusts both in the UK and Ireland.
Dept survey of parents is not a referendum on Catholic education
When the then Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn launched an independent forum on patronage and pluralism in primary schools in 2011, I don’t believe that he or any of those present imagined that 14 years later there would have been little or no change in the status quo. Although there has been widespread agreement between stakeholders and explicit support from Catholic patrons for the ‘handing over’ of schools it remains the case that over 94% of primary schools are still under denominational patronage, 88% Catholic and just over 6% other largely Church of Ireland. True, there have been a small number of successful ‘reconfigurations’ and there are now 27, multidenominational community national schools under the patronage of 8 Education and Training Boards. However, 14 years on from the launch of the forum, the transfer of patronage, the Holy Grail of Irish education, remains elusive.
Everyone it seems wants progress, but few want the disruption it brings. Falling birth rates mean that while we may be concentrating on Patronage and Ethos the harsh unpalatable reality is that we need to close some schools. Like the closure of rural Garda Stations and Post Offices the closure of any primary school will be vehemently opposed by local people ably supported by local politicians who adhere to Michel Junker’s political paradox, “We all know what to do, we just don’t know how to get re-elected after we’ve done it”
A new hope?
On Monday last, the Department of Education and Youth launched the most extensive national survey ever undertaken in Ireland to assess parental preferences in primary school provision. The announcement was widely welcomed by all stakeholders in education including parent bodies, teacher unions, patrons, management bodies and all Catholic education bodies. This latest initiative presents many challenges but can and should be embraced as an opportunity. As ever, the challenges will be amplified by those on the fringes who hold extreme, intolerant views who may use caricature and misinformation to divide.
This survey is not a referendum on Catholic education, but it is a moment to reflect on, and to affirm the enduring value of Catholic schools and the key role played by patrons and trustees in Catholic education. It is also an opportunity, in advance of the planned Education Convention, to consider how we imagine the future and how Catholic patrons and trustees will engage and contribute constructively to conversations on Ireland’s evolving educational and cultural landscape.
I hope that this survey and wider process will help us to be proactive rather than defensive and will help us focus in on two key questions for Catholic education.
How many schools under Catholic patronage are required to serve the mission of the Catholic Church in Ireland?
What structures and resources will be needed to provide meaningful and sustainable support to schools?
What is Catholic education?
Most people’s appreciation of Catholic education is shaped, understandably by their immediate personal experience. Primary schools in Ireland, almost without exception are welcoming, inclusive, hope-filled and joyous places. Whereas the census data is consistent in terms of the fall off in numbers of those who define themselves as Catholic all the available data related to schools shows high levels of support for Catholic primary schools. All schools are subject to different forms of regular inspection that routinely involve surveys of parents and students. The results of these surveys suggest remarkably high levels of satisfaction. Our primary school principals, staff and schools enjoy the kind of support that those who work in other state agencies might only dream of.
The survey is not a referendum on our schools. It is the latest instalment in a longstanding, and I feel a sincerely held ambition to diversify school patronage and to expand parental choice. In the survey, parents are being asked three apparently very simple either/or questions: Is your preference for a single-sex or co-educational setting? Would you prefer English or Irish as the language of instruction? Do you prefer a religious or multi-denominational ethos? The two questions about language and setting are pretty one dimensional. The question of Ethos is more complex and requires more discernment. The survey will run until December 16. During that time, I hope that this publication and many others will help to lead a discussion and a journey through the complexities and tangible benefits of Catholic education.
The survey is not a referendum on Catholic education. As a tool to assist in future planning it is asking all the right questions…well all bar one.
I would strongly advise the Minister to boost participation levels in the survey by sending an information leaflet to all homes and to add a fourth question to the survey. Something like this…
The government currently spends 2.8% of GDP on education from early childhood to third level, we are ranked last among our peers in the OECD. That has been the way for decades. Would you like that to continue? Would you like us to reduce or increase the spending on education.
The underfunding of education in all sectors has long been a hidden national disgrace. All primary schools operate under severe financial constraints meaning the Boards of Management (all of whom are volunteers), Principals and staff have to fundraise and produce daily miracles to keep the show on the road. It is good that we are consulting parents but let’s be honest about the real issues in primary education.
Dr Nicholas Cuddihy has recently established CESS, Catholic Education Supports and Services with the ambition and vision to enhance and support the work of Patrons and Trustees. He has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Catholic education in his career as a catechist, a school leader, a researcher and as the Chief Executive in Catholic trusts both in the UK and Ireland.
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