CATHOLIC SCHOOLS will express concern today at plans by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn to transfer half of their schools to other patrons.
The Catholic Schools Partnership (CSP) is to call instead for a slower process where patronage is only considered after the results of pilot studies are assessed.
In a position paper due to be published today, the partnership is expected to stress that the rights of Catholic parents and children must be protected if there is any change in patronage.
Last month, Mr Quinn suggested the process of transferring 1,500 schools, or about 50 per cent of Catholic schools, to other patrons could begin by next January. He hopes the report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism – due next October – will open the way for changes in patronage by January.
But the CSP – an umbrella group providing support for all partners in the Republic’s Catholic schools – will demand a much slower timeframe. It was established by the Irish Bishops’ Conference and the Conference of Religious of Ireland last year.
The Catholic Communications Office says the CSP represents the grassroots opinion of those involved in Catholic education.
The position paper is expected to:
* Back the establishment of pilot projects in selected areas where there is an “over-supply” of Catholic schools;
* Highlight the inclusive nature of Catholic schools in dealing with children of all backgrounds and abilities;
* Issue a warning that changes to patronage could lead to a two-tier education system as parents opt for schools that are less inclusive.
Since his appointment, Mr Quinn has been forced to fend off criticisms from Catholic groups that he is running a “secularist” agenda. He told Catholic school managers last month: “The Labour Party has a pluralist ethos, which reflects the republican nature of our Constitution and where respect for diversity is a fundamental value.”
Last weekend, the Minister stirred further controversy, suggesting preparation for sacraments might take place outside of school time.
Mr Quinn has questioned whether the amount spent on religion in primary schools – about 2½ hours per week – can be justified at a time when there are growing fears about literacy and numeracy standards.
Close to 90 per cent of the 3,200 primary schools in the State are run by the Catholic Church.
The school patronage debate was triggered three years ago when Archbishop Diarmuid Martin acknowledged the church was over-represented in Irish education.
