WALKING into the Muslim National School in Clonskeagh, Dublin, seems initially much like walking into any bright, colourful new school building. But a closer look reveals something unusual. Above a decorative Cead Mile Failte banner is another colourful one announcing Eid Mubarak - or Happy Eid, the Islamic feast soon to be celebrated - under a bunch of little paper hands. Religious posters relate accounts of Islamic celebrations.
Colm McGlade came to the school as principal when it opened in 1990, having taught at Scoil Treasa CBS for 16 years. "I wanted a change and I thought it would be a great opportunity to start as principal in a new school and be with it as it grew," he says. "The whole experience has been an education for me. I knew very little about Islam before I came and each day brings something new."
The school opened to cater for the growing number of Muslim families in Ireland. Children living in Ireland are entitled to an education which reflects their values and funding was made available to set up the school from the Department of Education. Further funding came from the United Arab Emirates for initial costs only.
"By and large ours is a typical Irish national school," says McGlade. "We have seven Irish national school teachers here and we follow the standard national school curriculum. In addition though, the children take lessons in Arabic, Deen and the Koran."
The daily prayer is quite different to that in other religious school. "Each day the children participate in the midday prayer which is called Dhur," explains McGlade. "Before going to prayer the children perform Wudu, a special washing ritual for which a little washing area was built." As the whole ceremony takes about 20 minutes the school day ends later than at other national schools.
On Fridays the children from third class up go to the Jumah prayer in the Mosque. To cater for the growing demand for places - there are now 200 children at the school - a new building was opened last September. This building is attached to the Mosque for easy access.
"We also try to integrate religion into normal class time," says McGlade. "For example, in art class the children might do some Islamic designs or during history class they might discuss historical issues relevant to Islam."
Among the difficulties faced by tile school is the fact that English is not the first language of 60 per cent of the children. "The Department inspectorate has recommended an extra teacher to assist the children with language difficulties, but to date the Department has not provided one," says McGlade. "We feel that if the Department agrees to provide funding to set up a school, adequate resources should be made available to ensure all the children have equal access to education. The school is unique in its cultural diversity and the Department has a duty to cater for the special needs of a school like this.
The demand for places is high but McGlade doesn't envisage the school growing any further. "We'll concentrate on developing areas such as the parents' association, extra curricular activities and our GAA team," he says.
