Sir, - The show of unity presented by the coalition of churches in this state recently was, ironically, a display of unity in defence of religious division and segregation in our education system. It was not, unfortunately, an historical gathering to call for a return to the ideals of a multi denominational education system, as was the tradition here in the last century when children of all religions, and none, sat together in the local school. Rather it was to ensure that such a scenario does not again unfold and to protect the separate narrow "ethos" of their schools without "interference" from state regulation that they assembled with such resolve.
Their reaction to the Education Bill was more of a show than a genuine response to its actual content. They know full well that there is no threat to their continued dominion in "their" schools (albeit they are funded 95 per cent by the taxpayer) and in kicking up the dust they are intent on sowing fear amongst the public and reaping control of the Bill itself in the confusion. They also know full well that:
1 They own 98 per cent of this State's schools and the State has given guarantees on their continued ownership and control of "their" schools in a legal instrument entitled "The Governance of Schools: Deed of Variation" drafted specifically to legalise ethos control in schools.
2 The Bishops Patrons have been given full power to dissolve a Board of Management where the ethos of that school is not being protected.
3 The churches have been gifted full powers to hire and fire staff in "their" schools and hospitals on the basis of insulting the ethos of. these institutions, thanks to a controversial exemption in the Government's Equality legislation.
4 They have also extracted a facility to control the enrolment policy re their pupils on the basis of priority to co religionists.
Clearly, the "first steps in dismantling denominational education" (Mary Harney) have not been taken. The evidence is firmly in the other direction, of a reinforcement of our segregated system. Critically both the opposition and the Government have obviously swallowed, and now regurgitate, the Bishops refrain that the Churches must protect denominational education "on behalf of the vast majority of parents".
Consider first, however, the findings of a Lansdowne Market Research Survey (1993) into the attitudes of adults born in the Sixties (i.e. today's parents who the Bishops claim to represent). It found that 52 per cent of Dubliners and 61 per cent of country respondents preferred non denominational to religious order schools. Consider further that even amongst primary teachers, a social grouping noted for its conservatism, a recent extensive survey revealed that 48 per cent of them would prefer their schools to present a multi denominational ethos; eight per cent chose non denominational, whilst a minority of 44 per cent opted for the status quo of single denominational ethos schools.
Perhaps this evidence explains why the Bishops manipulate for media purposes, this generation's genuine desire for a broadly inclusive religious ethos into a spurious clamour for a narrow denominational ethos for our school system. Unfortunately even the Labour Ministers now seem set to capitulate further, despite seeking to sell their bill to the public as a "radical" democratisation. However, the present Bill and related provisions are already a conservative response to our Church controlled system. Any further capitulation will reduce the State's role from present subservience to outright prostration. Elections, it seems, are not just about the kissing of babies but also the kissing of rings. - Yours, etc.,
Secretary, Teachers for
Pluralism in Education, Eastat Dar-Linn, Bothar na hUaimhe, Baile Atha Cliath 7.