“Towards a Solution to Ireland’s
School Patronage Problem”
Address by Prof. John Coolahan
To the
INTO Equality Conference
Religion and Ethos in Primary Schools
School Patronage A Problem Requiring
a Solution
 Pattern of School Patronage – A Significant and
Neglected Problem
 96% Denominational Control and Ethos
 20% of Schools have less than 50 pupils
– with average of 156 pupils, Ireland has smallest
average school size
– large no. of Schools per capita.
 Since 1970s Minority of Parents seek change 
“Educate Together”
  Public Recognition of the Problem
 Varied Views on Solution.
National Education Convention
(1993-94)
“The main issue here is that, in many cases, parents not only do
not want their children to attend religious instruction classes, but
they also object to their children being educated within schools
whose dominant ethos is not of their faith/beliefs”.
As a way forward, the Secretariat stated,
“The dilemma and challenge posed for policy makers and school
authorities require not only dialogue at the school level but the
development of “good practice” guidelines by a suitably qualified
and representative working group convened by the Department.
Such a working party might also explore legal and, perhaps,
constitutional issues that may be involved.”
White Paper (1995). “Such a working party will be convened in
the near future.”
Constitution Review Group 1996
“In summary, therefore, the present reality of
the denominational character of the school
system does not accord with Article 42.2.4. The
situation is clearly unsatisfactory. Either Article
44.2.4 should be changed or the school system
must change to accommodate the requirements
of Article 44.2.4” (Constitution Review Group
Report, 1996).
Education Act, 1998
Section 14(4); Section 16(1) confirm powers of
school patrons.
Section 15 specifies the responsibility of Boards
of Management to the patron.
Ireland in 21st Century
• Increasingly multi-racial, multi-lingual, multiethnic, multi-religious
• Demographic, social, cultural, economic
change
• Changes in Religious practice / observance,
attitudes
• Growth in secularism.
• 2002 INTO Annual Conference – Recognition
of the need to care for diversity of religious
education.
• Call for a Forum which “would initiate a
reflective process involving all the partners in
education in order to find accommodation
and inclusiveness.”
Perspectives of International Agencies
e.g. Council of Europe (2006)  Ireland “to pursue on-going
efforts to accommodate growing diversity in Irish schools,
including in terms of the demand for non-denominational or
multi-denominational schools”
ICCPR (2008) criticises impact of “religious integrated
curriculum” etc.
March (2011) “The Committee reiterates its previous concluding
observations and recommends that the State party accelerates
its efforts to establish alternative non-denominational or multidenominational schools and to amend the existing legislation
that inhibits students from enrolling in a school because of their
faith or belief” (UNCERD)
The Changing Policy Context
2008 Community National Schools (Pilots)
2008 DES – Conference “The Governance Challenge for
future primary school needs”
Most Rev. Dr. Martin
“I believe that ways can be found to expand the role of
other patronage models, where such demands exists,
through a form of structured divestment by the Catholic
patron, which recognises the rights and interests of all
parties. It would flow, as I see it, from a gradual
movement of children and teachers towards differing
schools in an area, each of which would evolve towards
the ethos of a particular patron.”
 Feb 2011 Commission on School Accommodation,
urged “a greater diversity of patronage
through maximising the use of existing
infrastructure.”
 May 2011
IHRC – Report
“The overarching recommendation of the IHRC is
that the State should ensure that there is a diversity
of provision of school type within educational
catchment areas throughout the State which
reflects the diversity of religious and non-religious
convictions now represented in the State.”
 A Legal and Moral Obligation to Seek a Solution.
Programme for Government (2011
 Forum, White Paper etc.
• Policy – Operate within existing Constitutional
and Legal Provisions
• T.O.Rs - Recommend Adaptations to Existing
System
• Means – Consultative, Voluntary Processes
- Avoiding Social Conflict.
Forum Dateline
April 2011 Launch of Forum on Patronage and
Pluralism in the Primary Sector
June 2011 Plenary Discussion Days
Nov 17
Plenary Briefing Day
Feb. 1, 2012 Report Submitted
June 2012 Government Decisions
Towards a Solution
3 Categories of Areas
1 – Diversity in areas of rising population
2 – Areas of stable population, but parental
demand for alternative patronage
3 – ‘Stand Alone Schools’, where pupil body
involves a number of faiths or none.
Category 2 – Divestment of Patronage
Phase One – 43 areas selected by DES
 Views of Parents of Pre-school and School Pupils
 Where demand exists, patron explores and presents
options
 DES evaluates
 Views of School Establishment Group
 Minister decides
Dec. 2012 5 Pilot Surveys
Jan – 8 Feb. 2012 38 Surveys
Work in Progress.
Areas of Concern
• Protect Social Inclusion and Special Needs in
Diversification
• Value of Proposed Enrolment Policy
• Overview by Inspectorate
• Children’s Best Interests – Central in Transfer
Arrangements
• Regard for Teachers’ Rights and Viewpoints
• Positive Role for BOM’s, Principals and Support
Agencies
• Patron’s Responsibility.
Category 3 – Schools with Mixed Pupil
Intake, esp. S.A.Ss.
• Forum Proposed a DES Protocol to help
schools become more inclusive
• Detailed suggestions for Proposed Protocol
• Govt. to seek pupil consultations on
suggestions
• Govt. to prepare a White Paper in 2013.
Recommendations for Exclusively
Denominational Schools
• Denominational R.E. / Formation Guaranteed
• Time for Sacramental Preparation to form part
of the 2½ hrs p.w. for R.E. – not to intrude on
Time Allotted to General Curriculum.
• ERB for all Pupils.
Recommendations for Denominational
Schools, with a Minority of Pupils with
other Belief Systems (esp. S.A.S.s)
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Denominational R.E. for Majority Guaranteed
ERB and Ethics for all Pupils
DES Protocol to Guide Schools regarding the rights of the Minority
Practical Applications of Protocol in School Plan – Flexible
School Policy to form part of SSE and WSE
Ethos Guidelines to be Issued to Schools
Revision of Rules for National Schools (esp. No. 68)
Restating of “Integrated Curriculum” Guidelines
Guidance for Schools on Pupil “Opt-Out” Process
Sensitivity for Religious Celebrations of all Pupils
Display of Religious Artefacts Balanced – Reflective of Pupils’ Beliefs.
Shape of the Possible Solution
• Diversity in Provision of New Schools
• Purely Denominational Schools (Varied)
• Denominational Schools with Minority of other Belief Systems
(incl. SASs)
• Educate Together Schools (multi-denominational) with ERB,
Ethics
• Community National Schools (multi-denominational) with ERB,
Ethics
• Non-Denominational Schools (now possible) with ERB, Ethics
 Irish Community Seeking to Respond to the Ed. Needs and
Rights of its Diverse Citizenry.
 Work in Progress – A Contemporary Challenge to Civic
Responsibility.