Menu
16/07/2012
Bishop Issues Warning Over Secularisation Of Primary Schools
A Catholic bishop has issued a warning to Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn over plans to put primary schools under “secular” control.
Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore said it would be “extremely unwise” for Mr Quinn to try and bulldoze change in the sector or ram it through quickly.
The former chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Education, Bishop O’Reilly said proposed changes at board-of-management level in primary schools posed a question as to whether diversity and choice was being offered for all except those practising as Catholics.
“It’s a position that essentially suggests freedom of religion is freedom from religion . . . That’s a crucial distinction and worrying in itself,” he said.
“They apparently want no prayers in school and that anyone without faith to not be impinged upon in any way by any religious content as if it were some kind of an infection that could be damaging to their health,” he said.
He expressed the hope that Mr Quinn would not be blindsided into the implementation of proposals.
“If he does there could be trouble,” he said.
(H)
Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore said it would be “extremely unwise” for Mr Quinn to try and bulldoze change in the sector or ram it through quickly.
The former chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Education, Bishop O’Reilly said proposed changes at board-of-management level in primary schools posed a question as to whether diversity and choice was being offered for all except those practising as Catholics.
“It’s a position that essentially suggests freedom of religion is freedom from religion . . . That’s a crucial distinction and worrying in itself,” he said.
“They apparently want no prayers in school and that anyone without faith to not be impinged upon in any way by any religious content as if it were some kind of an infection that could be damaging to their health,” he said.
He expressed the hope that Mr Quinn would not be blindsided into the implementation of proposals.
“If he does there could be trouble,” he said.
(H)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 June 2011
Up To 40 New Schools To Be Established In Six Years
Twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Announcing the new schools, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said: "My Department is forecasting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.
Up To 40 New Schools To Be Established In Six Years
Twenty new primary schools and twenty new post-primary schools are to be established in the next six years. Announcing the new schools, the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn said: "My Department is forecasting an increase of over 45,050 primary pupils and 24,900 post-primary pupils by the start of the 2017/18 school year.
13 March 2024
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
28 May 2012
More Than Three Quarters Of Primary Schools Operate Book Rental Schemes
New research by the Department of Education and Skills shows that 76% of primary schools operate a school book rental scheme. The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., asked the Department to undertake an investigation of book rental schemes in order to examine ways to reduce the financial burden of school books on families.
More Than Three Quarters Of Primary Schools Operate Book Rental Schemes
New research by the Department of Education and Skills shows that 76% of primary schools operate a school book rental scheme. The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., asked the Department to undertake an investigation of book rental schemes in order to examine ways to reduce the financial burden of school books on families.
23 February 2011
Catholic Church Could Fall 'Over The Brink'
The Catholic Church could "fall over the brink" and become irrelevant to society, according to the Archbishop of Dublin. In a dramatic speech to the Cambridge Group for Irish Studies in the Magdalene College in Cambridge, Diarmuid Martin said that Catholicism in Ireland was being reduced to a tiny minority and becoming "irrelevant in society".
Catholic Church Could Fall 'Over The Brink'
The Catholic Church could "fall over the brink" and become irrelevant to society, according to the Archbishop of Dublin. In a dramatic speech to the Cambridge Group for Irish Studies in the Magdalene College in Cambridge, Diarmuid Martin said that Catholicism in Ireland was being reduced to a tiny minority and becoming "irrelevant in society".
11 April 2008
Government Told Primary Schools In Debt
Representatives of Ireland’s primary schools have made a desperate plea for more funding. Monsignor Dan O’Connor will present an agreed statement from the Catholic Primary School Management Association to ministers in a special meeting with members of the joint Oireachtas committee on education.
Government Told Primary Schools In Debt
Representatives of Ireland’s primary schools have made a desperate plea for more funding. Monsignor Dan O’Connor will present an agreed statement from the Catholic Primary School Management Association to ministers in a special meeting with members of the joint Oireachtas committee on education.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night, or a few fog patches in prone spots.. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
