Lay trust set to run Brothers’ schools
The Edmund Rice Schools Trust has been set up to cater for the 35,000 students and 2,700 teachers involved in the schools.
This new company will consist of nine members, including former European Parliament President Pat Cox, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, who will chair the trust, and Daniel O'Hare, founding president of Dublin City University.
This latest move follows a decision by the Irish Episcopal Conference to bring all 59 second-level and 37 primary schools currently run by the Christian Brothers in the Republic under the new body's stewardship from the start of the next school year.
The company's six directors will be led by Pat Diggins, who recently served as interim director of the Marino Institute of Education.
Its duties will include appointing the boards of management of secondary schools.
Mr Diggins says that its establishment would ensure the continuity of a tradition that dated back over two centuries.
“As trustees we are extremely conscious not only of the tangible value of the network of schools but equally of the invaluable educational ethos established by Blessed Edmund Rice that has been entrusted to us,” he said.
“We will be working in conjunction with the Christian Brother trustees and with all of the relevant stakeholders within our educational environment to ensure a smooth transition.”
RETIREMENT
Many Brothers are now well past retirement age and there are no longer the numbers available to help with the day-to-day running of the schools Speaking on behalf of the Christian Brother trustees, Brother Kevin Mullan said the announcement marked the beginning of “an exciting new chapter” for both the Brothers and for education in Ireland.
He thanked the members and directors who “on a voluntary basis, are taking on the important role of trustees into the future”. The Edmund Rice Schools Trust will be launched in Dublin on June 18.
- Cathal McMahon
