Sir, – In celebrating the inclusiveness and diversity of Catholic primary schools, Seán Ó Diomasaigh, principal of Sacred Heart of Jesus National School, Dublin 15 (Letters, July 6th) unwittingly encapsulates the entire problem of discrimination against unbaptised children in school enrolment.
It should be remembered, of course, that while over 90 per cent of primary schools are owned by the Catholic Church they are funded by the State.
Under the protection of section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act 2000, primary schools throughout the country state, in their enrolment policies, that baptised children take preference over unbaptised children. This may not be a problem where schools are under-subscribed but it is the first criterion on which admission is decided where a school is over-subscribed.
It is deeply wrong that our government should allow such a provision to exist.
Ignorance of this fact is widespread. Mr Ó Diomasaigh states that Catholic schools are “diverse and inclusive” but the published enrolment policy for Sacred Heart of Jesus National School states that local baptised children take precedence in admissions. An original baptism certificate is required as evidence. Next, if places remain, come baptised children not from the locality in need of a Catholic school. Then, and only then, come unbaptised local children.
This is not an ad hominem criticism of Mr Ó Diomasaigh, who I do not doubt is a fine principal and a decent person. Nor is it an attack on his school.
The point is, his school is absolutely typical of primary schools throughout Ireland in its discriminatory enrolment policy. Said policies are legally permissible and I fear that too few people are aware of this fact.
Why should five-year-old children face rejection by schools on the basis of religion? Why should some families have to endure uncertainty, tension and anxiety until a decision is made as to whether there is a place for their unbaptised child after baptised children have been accommodated?
Surely in the 21st century it is high time Ireland cherished all of her children equally – section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act must be repealed. – Yours, etc,
PADDY MONAHAN
Raheny,
Dublin 5.