Number of Catholic secondary schools slips 20%

The number of Catholic secondary schools in Ireland has dropped by around 20% in the past 15 years and is expected to fall further over the coming years.

Reports this morning said a conference of school managers last night heard the number of Catholic schools had fallen from 472 in 1990 to 380 at present.

The Association of Management of Catholic Secondary Schools also heard the lay principals had almost completely replaced religious principals over the past 15 years.