Schools get say on Church holidays

CATHOLIC bishops are to allow schools to decide whether or not to open on Church holidays after disputes on the issue in some parts of the country last year.

Because of the standardised school year introduced last September, a number of schools decided to open on All Saints Day (November 1). Traditionally, the 95% of primary schools under the patronage of their local Catholic bishop have closed on this feast, as well as on December 8. But the reduced flexibility imposed by the enforced school calendar meant some schools opened to pupils and a number of others brought teachers in for in-service training.

The issue caused anger among teachers because of the mixed message being received in different Catholic dioceses from their bishops. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) made representations on the issue and received a positive response in a letter from the Irish Episcopal Conference earlier this month.