Catholic schools may become ‘preserve of privileged’

CATHOLIC primary schools could become the preserve of privileged children unless policy is agreed on how the operation of schools is transferred from the Church, teachers have warned.

There have been a number of indications in recent months that the Catholic Church may no longer set up new schools or could withdraw from management of some of the 95% of primary schools it already runs in the country.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), which debated the issue at an education conference in Sligo, said suggestions by Catholic leaders that a mix of providers in primary education is needed must be considered carefully, not just in economic terms but also operationally.