Republican News · Thursday 23 January 1997

[An Phoblacht]

Putting children first

Finian McGrath wonders if the new Education Bill really does herald a radical change for schools in the 26 Counties

The Minister for Education has described the new Education Bill as ``a landmark in Irish education.'' Many parents and teachers will be eager to see if this turns out to be true. Will it deliver on the ground to the pupils and staff in our schools?

For years, many of us have been calling for a Bill to give a legislative basis to primary education. I welcome any move that can improve the structures of the educational service. However, I am cautious and worried about the rows that are already emerging about power and control. I hope that we are not going to be distracted from what should be the main focus. Any Bill that does not put children first in its planning and delivery will just result in more pages gathering dust on shelves.

Children with disabilities

I am concerned that this Bill will ignore children with disabilities though I am delighted to see that the Regional Boards will ensure that pupils be integrated. However, adequate resources should be provided as a matter of rights.

For the first time in the history of the state, the educational rights of all Irish children will be laid down in law. Many parents and teachers have made submissions demanding that parents have the right to opt for integrated education in this Bill, supported by resources provided as a matter of right.

Children with disabilities have always been one of the most marginalised groups in society. Equality of opportunity represents a basic human right. If children with disabilities and learning difficulties are to take an active and equal part in society before and after school, then this process must take place in school also. Education is not separate from the rest of children's lives. This Bill must provide the resources to ensure that this happens. Remember that everyone gains when children with disabilities are educated in ordinary classrooms with non-disabled peers - familiarity and tolerance reduce fear and rejection. Inclusive education promotes the normality of disability.

There are serious question marks about this Bill's ability to deliver the services to our children. The Minister will have to deal with this issue soon and get off the fence on the whole question of children with disabilities in mainstream schools.

The appropriate resources and supports within schools should be there as a matter of right. The Minister's recent statement to parents of disabled children that ``you choose mainstream schooling for children and you must take what you find there, warts and all'' was most inappropriate and unacceptable. This statement was made at a public meeting in Dublin before Christmas and was completely ignored by the media.

Poverty

There are also serious concerns for schools in poorer areas. This Bill does not recognise the disadvantages associated with poverty. The recent ``Breaking the Cycle'' initiative was a major step in the right direction. We need a serious commitment from the proposed educational boards to promote equality of access and community education.

At the moment there are major gaps in resources between areas. The more money you have, the better educational service you get. This has to stop in order to ensure genuine equality. Some schools have well-equipped computer rooms while others have not got even one computer. The debate on the Education Bill will have to address these issues if we are serious about poverty or the long-term unemployed.

I am however, delighted with the section in the Bill that will make schools publish and make clear their admissions and entry politics. For years I have had children turning up at our school looking for a place after being turned down by other schools. Most of these children were either poor or homeless. At last the Bill seems to tackle this type of discrimination.

Teaching Council

One of the most disheartening aspects of the Education Bill is its silence on the crucial matter of a Teaching Council. The establishment of such a Council - representative of all the interests in education - would maintain, improve and implement codes of professional practice as well as dealing with teacher qualification and conduct. After years of lip service from this and other Ministers it is an irresponsible waste of an opportunity not to have addressed it.

Gaeltacht

It is also regrettable that the Minister has chosen not to include a Regional Education Board for Gaeltacht areas. I welcome the section in the Bill which states that a ``core objective'' of the educational boards will be ``to contribute to national policies relating to bi-lingualism in society and to provide education through the medium of Irish.'' I am concerned however, that the Department has ignored the views of the schools in Gaeltacht areas. Conradh na Gaeilge are right when they say that this Bill is ``seriously flawed'' when it comes to the Regional Boards. There are many vague commitments and they do nothing for those that support the development of Irish-medium education.

Religion

The Bill deals in an open and fair way with the matter of religious schools and manages to do so without the use of the word `ethos' which is replaced by `characteristic spirit.'

It appears to allow for the establishment of Non Denominational schools for the first time in the history of the state. The doubt arises because the status of the current Rules for National Schools after the enactment of the proposed legislation is unclear. These Rules require that school patrons have a religious complexion and also require religion to ``imbue all aspects of the school's curriculum''.

Rules and appeals

It is also necessary to note that the current rules for National Schools are in fact the conditions of service under which all existing Primary Teachers have been appointed. The Bill must recognise that these conditions of service may not be disimproved unilaterally. Where stand those Rules now?

This Bill proposes a procedure through which parents can appeal any teacher's decision which ``materially affects the education of a student''. It is quite right that parents should be able to appeal such decisions but it is utterly unacceptable that the Appeals Board outlined in the Bill should not have a teacher representative. This is without precedent.

All domestic Tribunals as well as the Labour Court and Employment Appeals Tribunal invariably comprise representation from employer and employee interests under an independent chairperson. Teachers will not have and cannot be expected to have, confidence in an Appeals procedure which gives a two thirds majority to the employer side with no employee representation. This is unfair and inequitable.

 

Whilst I accept and support the need for the Education Bill we still have a long way to go for a domestic and equitable education service. Time will tell.

  • Finian McGrath is the Principal of North Dublin Inner City school. He is also Chairperson of the Dublin Branch of the Downs Syndrome Association of Ireland and an Executive member of the Irish National Congress.
    • Contents Page for this Issue
    Reply to: Republican News