Admission to Schools Bill - Reform comes with a price

NEW legislation on school enrolment consolidates religious authority in our schools and runs contrary to the objectives outlined by the last Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn — a reduction in the level of school patronage by the Catholic Church to something considerably less than the current 90%.

Not even the most ardent Catholic would suggest that this ratio reflects the reality of our society, a reality acknowledged by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin when he accepted that it would be better if fewer schools were controlled by Catholic patrons.

The Admission to Schools Bill states that there will be no discrimination on the grounds of religion but schools can still ask for a baptismal certificate on enrolment.

This seems contradictory and open to abuse. It is also an affront to parents of no religion and seems to deny their children the possibility of a place in what might be the school of their choice.

The bill also decrees that schools will be able to reserve a maximum of 10% of places for children of past-pupils. This seems gesture politics rather than focused reform as the balance of places — 90% — allows plenty of scope for a sympathetic school management to facilitate the children of former pupils.

Once again, it seems, we want reform but are not prepared to confront the traditions that oppose change because it might diminish their position and power. We still imagine we can make an omelette without breaking eggs.

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