Madam, – Those who, for various reasons, decry the management of most national schools (Front Page, January 25th) by the Catholic Church seem to think that the system was thought up by the Irish government and then seized by the bishops.
Nothing could be further from the truth. According to the historian Jonathan Bardon, the national school system of primary education was set up by the government of the day, the British one, in the early 1830s. It was to be non-denominational and the idea was supported by the Catholic bishops. However, the authorities of the Anglican Established Church decided that they would educate their children separately.The Presbyterians in Ulster were also against the idea. It was only in 1834 that the Catholic bishops demanded a similar dispensation for Catholic children.
Those who blame that horrible institution the Catholic Church for the present situation might try to learn some of the history of the land which they are privileged to live in. – Yours, etc,