Body questions schools' patronage

The independent school body Educate Together has called on the State to examine its lack of regulation of patrons of schools.

The independent school body Educate Together has called on the State to examine its lack of regulation of patrons of schools.

The organisation today published a new policy document that it said it hoped would "start a public discussion around issues of best practice in patronage in Irish education".

It called on the State to examine the issues and to engage with school providers to "bring forward a system of legal compliance, openness and public accountability so that all those in Irish education can work together to ensure that the vital role of patron is carried out to the highest standards".

"We believe that this will significantly benefit the education of children in schools," Educate Together said.

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The body published an initial set of 17 policies for operating as a patron of schools They cover the establishment of national schools, the appointment of management boards including the selection of the chairperson, the appointment of independent assessors for selection of staff, the approval of all staff appointments, the definition of the Educate Together ethos and patron’s curriculum and the transformation of schools of other patronage to become Educate Together schools.

"The Irish State grants huge legal powers to patrons of schools. These powers include the establishment of schools, the provision of buildings, the control of management boards, the appointment of all teaching staff and the exclusive control of 30 minutes per day of teaching contact with all pupils," Educate Together said.

"However, the Irish State has no mechanism for regulating the exercise of these powers. Educational legislation is silent on the subject. Whilst this situation is certainly due to the historical fact that most patrons of schools are religious bodies and enjoy a special status in Irish law, it is now an anachronism.

"With the emergence of new secular patron bodies that have democratic corporate structures, there is a necessity for openness and accountability in the exercise of powers that have such a dramatic influence on the operation of schools and the education of children."

The group said it made no claim that the policies and procedure outlined in the manual were "superior" to those operated by other patrons. It said it looked forward to the publication of policy by other patrons and to "considerable debate on these issues".