The feasibility of transferring over 250 Catholic primary schools to new patrons is to be examined as part of the new drive to boost diversity in schools.
The Advisory Group to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in primary schools is also recommending that a special questionnaire should be used to canvass the views of parents in these areas; this will be prepared by the Department in consultation with the main education partners.
The group - in its interim report - stresses the value of a ‘rolling plan’ of incremental change. It concludes that a “Big Bang”, or a radical upheaval is not the best option.
The group - established by Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn - says the first phase in divesting schools should involve 258 schools in 18 dioceses across 47 areas. These are areas, identified by the Department of Education at the request of the bishops where “there is a need for divesting to allow for diversity of schools".
The group, which consists of Professor John Coolahan, Dr Caroline Hussey and Fionnuala Kilfeather, received over 200 submissions. It has also consulted students.
The group held its final public session this morning. It was designed to allow the group brief school managers, teachers unions and others representative bodies on its views.
The group is scheduled to deliver a final report to the Mr Quinn before the end of the year.
Addressing today’s sessions, Prof Coolahan said: “The forum is not aimed at designing a new primary school system, but adapting it to be more accommodating to the rights of contemporary citizens.”
He stressed the legal obligation on the State to provide appropriate primary education and the moral obligation on all stakeholders in education to co operate and facilitate efforts to build diversity.
As many schools are "stand alone" schools with no other choice of school nearby, particular attention is being paid to how they can be more inclusive and respect the constitutional rights of all pupils, he said.
The forum heard 96 per cent of primary schools are under denominational patronage. About 3,000 of the 3,200 primary schools in the State are managed by the Catholic Church.
Prof Coolahan said modifications are being suggested which should help schools to cater for pupils of all belief systems other than that of the majority of pupils. Changes to the "Rules for National Schools" and curricular guidelines are being proposed.
Many of the issues involved are interconnected but with good will, quality information, a sense of trust and a concern for the common good of a changing Irish society, the process can go a long way to achieving greater school diversity, which all parties have agreed is necessary.
