Delay in rolling out schools criticised
- Published: 18 September 2008
By: Seán Flynn, Education Editor, in Galway
THE DELAY in rolling out new State-run community national schools has been criticised by a senior school management figure.
Michael Moriarty, general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association, said this was a view held by his members and by Church leaders.
The church had acknowledged how the lack of real pluralism in patronage models is putting pressure on Catholic schools, which also enrol pupils from culturally diverse backgrounds, he said.
Mr Moriarty said the new State- run community school model ; managed by the County Dublin Vocational Education Committee (VEC) ; represents an ideal model. It can accommodate the provision of separate "religious education" to those of different faiths and no faith within the school curriculum, in accordance with parental wishes.
VECs are in a position to offer the State a new choice in the provision of primary school education in the newly diverse Ireland, he said. The capacity of VECs to deliver broad-ranging educational services and supports across the community has never been fully realised, he said, adding that the new model provides diversity under one roof rather than under different roofs.
There is now agreement that Ireland needs to diversify school patronage at primary level, rationally and incrementally, he said.
Church may cede control of schools to VECs
- Published: 18 September 2008
By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent
THE passing of control of primary schools by the Catholic Church moved a step closer with proposals from the head of the country's Vocational Education Committees (VECs) to facilitate such a historic handover.
The Catholic bishops have indicated clearly over the past year that they are willing to pass on the patronage of some schools to help reflect the changing population and the Church's waning local resources in some communities. While there is no suggestion they would give up the patronage of their 3,000-plus of the country's 3,300 primary schools, the hierarchy have also stressed that any handover would have to protect the faith ethos of any school involved.
The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) has now given a firm commitment that VECs could provide such protection, by mirroring the second level community college model at primary level. Co Dublin VEC has already opened the first pilot community national schools this year, to cater for a multi-denominational pupil base.
Almost 40 of the 250 second-level schools run by VECs are community colleges, which were set up in response to the closure or amalgamation of schools which were mostly run by religious orders. Unlike community schools, which have a religious ethos not allied to any particular faith, their ethos is specific to a partner church or other organisation.
"A community college-type primary school would not be multi-denominational like the new community national schools which are being opened already on a pilot basis. It would be a faith-based or denominational school whose patronage would be divested in the VEC from the local bishop, who would still be represented on the board," said Mr Moriarty.
"This offers a further model of primary school capable of flexibly responding to the needs of the local community and school management where such schools already exist," he said.
He told the IVEA annual congress in Galway that some church authorities have already indicated they may be open to considering such joint arrangements in certain circumstances at primary level.
The country's 33 city and county VECs provide many supports to their 250 second level schools, such as human resources, industrial relations, financial management and school maintenance. Mr Moriarty said these services could equally free up primary school principals and other staff to focus on educational leadership while a new level of expertise and support would also be available to the school boards.
"The community national school and the community college models are equally capable of meeting the patron and management needs of primary schools in an Ireland that has been socially transformed in recent years," said Mr Moriarty.
"This new venture, this new challenge is a historically significant moment for education in Ireland and it signals a new departure in terms of servicing the educational needs of an increasingly complex and diverse Ireland," he said.
Anger at failure to protect teachers
- Published: 18 September 2008
By Niall Murray, Education Correspondent
SCHOOL leaders expressed anger at the lack of changes to procedures to protect teachers and students from misbehaving classmates, 18 months after the necessary law was passed.
Changes to the Education Act introduced by previous Education Minister Mary Hanafin were signed into law in March 2007. The aim was to ensure committees hearing appeals against expulsion of a student should consider the rights of classmates as well as those of the person bringing the case.
This was done to reflect demands from schools and teachers to act on growing misbehaviour problems among a minority of second-level students, because of the detrimental effect it was having on teaching and learning.
However, the amendments to the 1998 Education Act had not yet taken effect. A department spokesperson said last night drafting of the necessary statutory instrument, which requires the input of legal advice, is ongoing.
At the annual congress of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), representing VECs which manage around 250 second-level schools, delegates called on the Department of Education to implement the changes and even to go further.
Many delegates had concerns about students expelled from one school seeking entry to another, and appealing successfully if the second school refuses to enrol them.
Gearóid Ó Brádaigh, chief executive of Co Westmeath VEC, said committees appointed by the department to hear appeals are set up by an official agenda to find a school place for an appellant, no matter how unworthy they might be.
"The paltry amendments to this fundamentally flawed system have yet to be implemented. This system doesn't require tinkering at the edges, it needs a root and branch removal and replacement," he said.
A High Court ruling is expected soon on a judicial review brought by Co Westmeath VEC against an appeal finding against one of its schools. The school had refused to enrol a student because he was still formally enrolled in another school, which he had left after problems with his behaviour.
The IVEA congress also heard criticisms about the role of National Educational Welfare Board staff who often support students and their families taking appeals.
Tipperary South Riding VEC member Kevin O'Reilly the appeals procedure has been a bruising experience for principals and undermined their confidence.
"They are forced to take in pupils who win their appeals, who have been given a huge sense of empowerment that they can do what the like from the highest authorities," he said.
Delegates also called for an annual report on the outcome of all such appeals, summarising the facts and findings in each case. The IVEA is also seeking more balanced representation of people from all school sectors on appeal committees.
Church demands meeting with Cowen on schools
- Published: 18 September 2008
By John Walshe Education Editor
THE battle for control of new primary schools stepped up a gear yesterday with the Catholic Church seeking an urgent meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
The Church is insisting on the right of Catholic parents to have Catholic schools for their children, if they so wish.
Vocational education committees have made it clear that they want more community national schools built under the VEC system. But the Catholic school authorities expressed concern that this was becoming the only model for developing areas, and would also spread to rural areas.
Urgent
They are seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss the Government's policy towards new primary schools.
They are also obtaining legal advice on what they see as the threat to the constitutional rights of parents to choose schools for their children. Outgoing Catholic Primary School Management Association secretary general Monsignor Dan O'Connor said the organisation was very concerned about recent statements made by Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe.
Mr O'Connor told the Irish Independent that the association welcomed the review and the new community school model. But it was concerned at the anti-rural nature of some statements made by the minister, who has suggested that schools would need more than the current minimum enrolment of 17 infants to open.
However, the Irish Vocational Education Association was told that provision of new primary schools could not be based on parental choice alone.
"There has to be a limit on the number of schools and patron types," said general secretary Michael Moriarty.
He added that exchequer constraints meant there could never be an unlimited choice of schools.
"I am firmly committed to the principle of trying to accommodate different cultural and/or religious identities under one roof -- where there is a demand for such a school with a particular community identity and focus," he said.
Hallmark
"Saying that is not to deny denominational schools; it is merely to address the features, which I believe should be the hallmark of a community national school".
He said that the association was calling for the roll-out of the new community national school model to VECs nationwide. It was as a further tailored response to the educational needs of communities that were growing in diversity by the day.
The general secretary also had a sideswipe at Educate Together for claiming that its model of multi-denominational schooling surpassed anything on offer from the VECs.
Community colleges and the new community national schools arose from partnership between the VECs and other patrons, he said.
OKeeffe cannot understand lack of funding
- Published: 16 September 2008
EDUCATION Minister Batt OKeeffe said he cannot understand how universities claim they are starved for cash given their increase in funding in recent years.
Mr OKeeffe said he is not satisfied that the Government is getting value for money from the third-level sector, indicating that too much funding goes on research and development rather than teaching students. He said he will carry out an audit to ensure money is used properly.
He was speaking at the Fianna Fil annual think-in yesterday where he met a number of students who had gathered outside the conference in the Clayton Hotel in Galway to protest over proposals to re-introduce college fees.
Mr OKeeffe assured students that fees would not be introduced immediately and if they were introduced in the future the income thresholds for those who had to pay would be at a high level of around 120,000.
A review is under way by the Department of Education into the funding of universities and Mr OKeeffe said a new body would be put in place to implement a national strategy for third level.
Were looking at all aspects of fees. Were looking at loans, were looking at other mechanisms for supporting third level and Ill bring that report when its finalised to cabinet and its a matter for government then, he said.
We have increased the funding to third-level by one third over the last three years, yet on coming into office the presidents of the various universities have indicated that they are starved for cash. I cant understand that, said the minister.
I have seen the experience with the HSE where we been accused of throwing more money after bad money, he said.
The minister said separate audits would be carried out by his department and by the Comptroller and Auditor General to establish if money given to universities is well spent.
