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Church-run schools favoured by less than a third of parents
Posted by SchoolDays Newshound on 30/04/2012.
Tags: Primary School NewsNew research has revealed only 27 per cent of parents would opt to send their children to a church-run primary school.
RedC carried out a survey commissioned by the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN), which found the majority of adults would prefer to send their offspring to either a Vocational Education Committee school, a multi-denominational or a state-run establishment.
However, despite only 27 per cent of parents favouring schools managed by the church, 67 per cent said they would still want their child to receive religious instruction during the day.
In addition, the majority of respondents would also like youngsters to get help with preparation for first confession, first communion and confirmation.
Sean Cottrell, director of the IPPN, explained the research was carried out in order to "gauge parental and wider public opinion on the type of patronage, ethos, religious or otherwise, that should inform primary school education".
The results come after documents recently obtained by RTE under the Freedom of Information Act revealed segregated religious education classes were originally planned as part of the new model for primary schools announced by the government in 2008.
Written by Donal Walsh
Mayomom
(22-05-2012 09:42)
Its not just about Religious education tho' surely? It's about the Church's tenacious and lingering involvement in schools especially National Schools: Bishops as Patrons,appointing priests as Chairs of Boards of Management that don't rotate, etc etc. The lack of Complaints procedures, cover-ups, nepotism and clientelism etc etc. The church hasn't been 100% successful in its education model in this country, it's secretive nature and lack of accountability make it ill- suited to be in charge of our children.
SchoolDays
(30-04-2012 12:40)
April 30th 2012 - Press Release from IVEA
In response to the RedC poll of parents expressing a preference for primary school types, the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), representing member VECs, welcomed the survey result that a very significant 67% of parents with dependent children wanted faith formation and religious instruction for their children to be provided during the school day. Commenting on the IPPN survey results, IVEA General Secretary Michael Moriarty says:
The strong parental preference (67%) for religious instruction during the school day confirms the validity of the Community National School (CNS) model, which provides religious instruction to the main faith groups within the school day. There is accommodation for children from families of all beliefs and none, as the CNS seeks to reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the local community. This school model therefore seems to be in tune with the wishes of parents.
IVEA is also heartened by the fact that 30% of parents surveyed would prefer the national school model operated by VECs. In most public debate to date, the CNS model has not been given the credit it deserves, but it seems that parents have voted in favour of religious instruction being provided during the school day, as provided by the Community National Schools. I believe the CNS model mirrors the preferences of much of Irish society, which still wants religious instruction provided in school, during the school day.
The Department of Education and Skills, along with VECs and other stakeholders, including parents, has developed the CNS model as a further choice for parents, most of whom do not want their childrens faith to be left at the school gate. In view of these results, I call on Minister Quinn to endorse the roll-out of the CNS model.
To date, the views of those preferring religious instruction to be provided within the school day have not been adequately heard. This survey gives a voice to those parents who, by a substantial majority, want religious instruction during the school day.
It is also worth noting that the IPPN survey confirms the view in the recently published report of the Forum for Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector, which recommended the expansion of the CNS model.
I am now very hopeful that the Ministers response to the Report of the Patronage Forum will support the expanded rollout of the CNS model in the short to medium term to reflect and accommodate parental preferences.