Sir, - The Bray School Project Association, the patron body of the Bray School Project Multi denominational National School, would like to express to the Minister of Education, through your columns, our concern over proposed legislation concerning the governance of schools and equality matters.
The obvious success of our school, and of the other 13 multi denominational national schools, in attracting pupils and the lengthy waiting lists for places in our schools bears testimony to the pluralist nature of our society. This requires, at this point in history, the nurture and encouragement of the State in developing a more open, tolerant and equal society which would be inclusive in its structures and provision for all its people.
We feel the copper fastening of denominationalism in proposed legislation regarding the structures of boards of management for schools is a retrograde step, and not in keeping with the wishes of a significant proportion of parents. We would further bring to the Minister's attention our horror that schools would be exempt from equality legislation. School communities surely deserve the same protection from discrimination as any other community. Real choice in education is denied by the paltry funding given to Educate Together and its constituent schools.
Finally, we would bring to her attention the untenable plight of the Crumlin School Project - about to be evicted from its rented premises and call upon her support to ensure survival. Failure to release capital funding at an early date (as promised in the White Paper) has led to the current situation in Crumlin where the school - for which there is a demand is faced with closure. - Yours, etc.,
(Chairperson, executive committee BSP),
Killarney Road,
Bray, Co Wicklow.