Cuts may deprive Protestant pupils of choice, claims Bandon principal

PROTESTANT students could lose their constitutional right to choose schools of their own ethos if suggested cutbacks are added to those already affecting schools for minority religion pupils, a principal has warned.

Ian Coombes said Bandon Grammar School in west Cork has lost 1.5 teachers more than other secondary schools with similar numbers because of an additional cutback hitting fee-paying schools.

Under the measure, the number of students needed to sanction a teacher increased from 18 to 20, whereas it only rose to 19 at other schools.