Primary schools in Kerry under the Catholic diocese will make history next year by opening its doors to students for the first time on a holy day. To align with the Dept of Education school calendar year, the Catholic school will open on the holy day ‘Feast of the Epiphany, January 6th 2015, which traditionally sees schools closed on this day.

The report, which came from Irish Examiner Radio Kerry today, illustrates the changing environment of education in Ireland whereby the standardisation of the calendar year must be met in schools around the country.

According to Radio Kerry website:

‘The Catholic Bishop of Kerry, Dr Ray Browne says it’s their practice to encourage schools where possible to close on January 6th. But he said because of the Department of Education’s position on the standardisation of the school year, schools are to re-open on January 5th next. The Catholic Primary School Management Association suggested that schools would remain on Christmas break until January 7th but agreement was not reached.

As a result, schools in the Diocese of Kerry closed on another holy day in the Christian calendar, December 8th last. Next year, schools will remain open on December 8th and on January 6th, 2016 they will be asked to close.’

Do you believe religious schools must open to meet the criteria of Dept of Education calendar year? Please tell us in the comment sections:

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