THE Minister for Education yesterday moved to quell fears of an erosion in the traditional role of the school patron under her Education Bill.
Ms Breathnach told the annual conference of the Association of Primary Teaching Sisters that she was prepared to consider amendments on "the role of the patron and on ethos" at the committee stage, provided it did not alter the fundamental principles of the Bill.
Recognising their unease, she told the 200 delegates: "I am convinced and I wish to assure you that the ethos of the schools in which you teach will be safeguarded", and she stressed that the Bill balanced the interests of the "partners in education" parents, patrons, students, teachers and the State.
However, Sister Mary Collins, president of the APTS, said it was now evident that the Minister would exercise a great deal of power as a result of the Bill. The role of the school patron needed to be strengthened in the legislation, in the interests of patrons of all religious denominations, she said.
"If there is a difficulty in the school, the board of management can refer back to the patron. If a teacher is not appointed to a particular position, they can appeal to the patron."
The conference, held at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, coincided with the European Year Against Racism and focused on the needs of disadvantaged children.
In her address yesterday, Ms Breathnach said many initiatives had been taken to help children with special needs. The number of remedial teachers in primary schools had risen by 241 between 1993 and 1997. Additional teachers had been recruited to assist schools dealing with pupils with significant educational needs.
In ordinary primary schools, the pupil teacher ratio had decreased from 25.2 to one to 22 to one in the last four years. This represented a "significant reduction," she said. In disadvantaged areas, there was a favourable pupil teacher ratio at junior level.
A new programme of substance misuse prevention education was now being prepared for primary schools, a major part of which was the development of a range of educational resource materials.
Concluding "her address, the Minister paid tribute to the sisters service to education: "You, sisters, constitute an important part of that noble teaching tradition. You cherish that tradition and preserve your values."
Prof Joe Lee said the Education Bill displayed a lack of respect and an inadequate recognition of the school patron. The ethos of the legislation was "very minister oriented", the historian and independent senator told the conference.
"Teachers as a category are grossly under recognised in the Bill. You would hardly think teachers are at the core of the education service. This Bill is much more about control and power," he said.
Despite an aspiration for partnership and devolution, the Bill contained 225 separate references to the Minister's powers. The Minister would decide how many people sat on the committees of the education boards, irrespective of, the judgement of the boards, he said.
"It is clear to me from this, that while the head says we should decentralise, the heart is very slow to let go. Many of us are slow to let go of the power we have enjoyed, but where there is partnership between State and society, those who have habitually exercised power have to be willing to let go, otherwise it is simply cosmetic."
Prof Lee said the Bill did not show an adequate recognition of the school patron. He welcomed the Minister for Education's remarks that she was open to amendments on the role of the patron and on ethos.