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.