Madam, – I read with interest the clear and illuminating article by Rev Gordon Linney, Opinion, October 5th) which I fully support. This relates to the current disgraceful and discriminatory treatment of “Protestant” schools by our Government and our Minister for Education.
As a Quaker, with a long-time, (more than 50 years) connection to Newtown School (the Quaker school in Waterford), I am horrified at what seems to be this outright religious discrimination against those schools catering for the educational needs of a religious minority.
For more than 40 years these schools have clearly been accepted as part of the “free” scheme, following agreements entered into by the Government and various religious bodies concerned, which showed great understanding and inclusion at that time. The different operation of the scheme was a clear recognition of the different situation which the “Protestant” schools were in: that of a widely spread minority grouping (clearly documented elsewhere).
At that time, the “Protestant” fee-paying schools made a conscious decision to enter the “free” scheme; the Roman Catholic fee-paying schools made a conscious decision not to do so. The cost to the State for these schools of the minority sector is no higher than the cost of Roman Catholic schools in the “free” scheme. It is simply the delivery of the funding that is different. Recognising the different requirements, the funding is allocated on the basis of those most in need.
As a Quaker deeply committed to the values of a liberal, open education within a clearly defined ethos, I appeal to the Minister and the Government to restore the previously agreed classification, as it was before last October – ie, that which was removed at the stroke of a pen, without even the courtesy of consultation or discussion.
The “Protestant” schools are more than willing to take their fair share of cuts to help the national economic recovery, but will not accept a grossly unfair, discriminatory and biased change of status. If the former position is not restored, I fear there will be enormous damage done to our children’s future and also to inter- church relations at both an ecumenical and a political level.
Only a few months ago, our Government called on those in the North of Ireland “to show understanding and inclusion”. What message of understanding and inclusion does this action send out? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The letter from teachers employed in various Protestant secondary schools across the country (October 6th) was very disquieting. The word, “minorities”, spoke volumes.
As a member of another national minority I can only conclude that the secretaries of the Department of Education are set upon undermining the two great traditions of this country: the Irish Protestant tradition and the Gaelic tradition. Sometimes at variance, often combining in fellowship, always inextricably intertwined sometimes to the point of being indistinguishable, it is from these two great cultures that practically everything fine that Ireland has produced throughout the centuries, in architecture, art, literature, music, philosophy, and spirituality, has sprung.
But the Department of Education, it appears, has another agenda: the homogenisation of the Irish educational system and the replacing of diversity with an anglophone Roman Catholic ethos. The economic crisis has given the secretaries of the department an unparalleled opportunity for the implementation of this undemocratic programme. If they succeed it will show that the republican project, initiated in 1916, has failed – failed utterly. – Yours, etc,