The news last week that two schools in south Co Dublin had decisions regarding their admissions process overturned by the Department of Education was rather surprising. Also surprising was the fact that many parents didn't seem to know that Irish schools regularly discriminate in favour of, and against, local children of certain religions and none. And that it is their legal right to do so.
nder section 15(2)(d) of the current Education Act, school Boards of Management are required to uphold "the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school".
So for instance, a Catholic school is required to remain just that -- with, one presumes, a majority of its pupils belonging to the Catholic faith. Which is why the Catholic school of Oatlands in Stillorgan, Co Dublin, with requests for admissions far outweighing the number of places they could offer, made the decision to give priority to Catholic children from January 2011.
As principal Keith Ryan explained earlier last week: the school is bound to uphold the ethos and serve the local community. They welcome all faiths but "we are a Catholic school and much is taught from a Catholic perspective", added Mr Ryan.
Consequently they decided to refuse to enrol Ibrahim Ouadria, a Muslim student, in the school in 2012 under section 29, as was their right.
However, this right was then overturned by the Board of Education after his parents appealed this decision under section 29 of the Education Act, citing the 'sibling' policy: that "the legitimate expectation of all parents of applicants in category one -- applicants who have a brother presently in the college -- were not met".
So blood trumps faith.
I'm finding all this furore about schools admissions policies fascinating, because for the first time ever I'm beginning to realise just how much discrimination is practiced in Ireland against children who are non-Christian.
Of course, if I had done the decent, sensible thing and had my two little darlings baptised into either the Catholic or Protestant faith, I wouldn't have noticed a damn thing. God no, they'd be fine and dandy, happily settled in primary schools of their faith, with places guaranteed for them in good local secondary schools.
But I didn't. I have a lot of respect for people who genuinely choose to belong to a particular religion. Consequently, I find it a little hypocritical and extremely disrespectful to sign your child up to a religion purely so that they can be guaranteed entry to the school of your choice. It's just not right, is it?
I know, I know. I have just offended half the parents of Ireland, who had to do just that in order to ensure that their children get a decent education. And who am I to make my kids suffer for my pig-headed (non) beliefs, eh? A good parent should do anything possible to help their children, shouldn't they?
Even if it involves (as one friend has done) changing their child's religion from Catholic to Protestant (while teaching them staunch atheism at home) to ensure that they are eligible for the best schools in the area?
Come on, admit it -- that's lunacy, isn't it?
What we're really teaching our children is that belief in a particular religion is just some red-tape nonsense you have to accede to because most of our schools are still run by religious orders.
Currently, I'm realising exactly what that means for non-Christian children. One of our little darlings is lucky enough to attend an Educate Together school (but no room for the other sibling) -- yes, it's miles from home, but it's worth it.
The eldest is in the local Catholic school -- which, I must stress, is fantastic, with terrific teachers who go above
and beyond the call of duty for their kids.
And our family are anything but 'New Atheists' -- we have a great respect for the traditions and rituals that we grew up with and are more than happy for our children to partake in them. However, there are two problems many parents currently face if they have a non-denominational child within the Irish school system.
The first problem can be rectified fairly easily. Even though primary schools spend a disproportionate amount of time teaching Catholic catechism, extra tuition can be given at home about other world religions, philosophy, civic values and ethics. Yes, it would be nice if all schools had the Educate Together religious/ethics programme, but, bottom line? They don't have that choice.
The second problem, however, is a little worrying. As I've mentioned above, under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act schools are entitled to discriminate against pupils who are not of their specific faith or ethos. Consequently, a non-denominational child can be refused entry to a religious school.
So, in that case, enrol them in a non-religious school, right?
Wrong.
Because seemingly there aren't any. And, as Professor John Coohahan, speaking at a public hearing before the forum on [school] patronage and pluralism in the primary sector, earlier this summer said: "It would appear that the State is prohibited" from allowing non-religious schools.
What? Surely not? Since when did we become a theocracy? Well, according to the good professor, since 1926 the rule in this State has been that religious instruction be "asserted as part of the school day". Seemingly that's why we have "multi-denominational" and not "non-denominational" schools.
Now, sadly for my little atheists, their local "multi-denominational" school is under the patronage of the Church of Ireland. So they're not entitled to a place there. (And applications far outweigh places.) However, all the other schools are religious, so they're not entitled to a place in any of them, either. "Oh, will you just get them baptised as either Protestant or Catholic like everyone else and stop making such a big deal about it!" said the friend.
And I admit, I'm tempted. BUT it is a big deal to feel that you are being forced to join a particular religion just to get your kid into the local school. I mean, this isn't Iran.
Article 44 of our constitution guarantees religious equality for all Irish citizens. In particular, it states: "[3] The State shall not impose any disabilities or make any discrimination on the grounds of religious profession, belief or status."
But that's exactly what it does do!
My kids -- and I'm sure many, many others -- are completely discriminated against because in order to qualify for a local school, they may have to join a particular faith. As non-religious, they have no rights. No rights whatsoever.
I know that the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, has suggested that up to 50 per cent of the country's primary schools under the control of the Catholic Church could be transferred to other patrons. But the church doesn't seem too happy about that.
As Father Michael Drumm, of the Catholic School Partnership said, a transfer figure of about 10 per cent is more realistic. This is despite the fact that the largest poll ever in relation to parents' and teachers' attitudes to religious patronage, undertaken in 2008 by the Irish Primary Schools Principals Association and Red C, revealed that 72 per cent of parents wanted primary schools to be managed by the State with an equal emphasis on all religions. Parents want education -- not doctrine.
And the parents of children refused entry to religious schools can't depend on the Department of Education to overturn the decisions of the schools in every case, can they? Surely, that just makes a mockery of the system?
But then, we could argue that it's a complete and utter joke as it currently stands.
