Bishop’s school request shocks parents

SOME parents of pupils attending Kenmare boys’ national school yesterday said they were shocked at a decision of the school patron, the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, to seek the sacking of the school’s management board.

Several parents approached by reporters outside the school declined to comment, but some said they were surprised to learn school patrons, nearly always Catholic bishops, had such extensive powers.

Bishop Murphy has used his power under the Education Act 1998 to ask education minister Mary Hanafin to dissolve the board, following a dispute about the appointment of a teacher.

Such requests are rare and parents coming to the school to collect their children said they regretted this had occurred in Kenmare.

Steve Killingbeck, pointing out he was English and Protestant, said: “It’s strange that a patron should have this type of control in the 21st century.”

But, he felt the Kenmare situation could spark off a debate on the power of the Church in education.

“Educationalists should be dealing with education. It’s rather strange that the Church should still be doing it (education). Fine if they’re educationalists, but if they’re theologians it’s rather extraordinary. The Church has enough problems as it is,” said Mr Killingbeck, who has lived in Kenmare for 20 years and whose son attends the school.

Aine Lynch, who was collecting her six-year-old son, David, maintained there should be more lay control of schools in an era when children of many denominations were in the classrooms.

“I think people are shocked and surprised,” she said.

“It’s not good for the school, or the town, and I hope it’s resolved quickly.”

Ms Hanafin has still to make a decision.