A more outspoken parents' movement is likely to emerge following a split within the ranks of the National Parents' Council.
The future of the second-level branch of the council looks uncertain after a prominent group of parents decided to break away from the organisation, which is meant to represent all parents with children in second-level education.
The group, which includes an outspoken critic of the ASTI, Ms Barbara Johnston, handed in their resignations to the council at a meeting in Ennis yesterday. They claimed their views and aspirations were being diluted, and said they wanted to articulate the concerns of parents outside the confines of the traditionally conservative council.
Ms Johnston's group, the Catholic Secondary Schools Parents' Associations (CSPA), said parents should have an equal if not greater voice in all educational matters, but this was not happening. CSPA represents parents in 320 schools. The group's departure from the council represents a major blow to the body. "We are not afraid to speak our minds on a whole range of issues in the education system, including teachers," said Ms Johnston, the group's spokeswoman.
She said the first priority would be to get representation on the main education policy bodies. She said the group would also seek funding from the Department of Education. A meeting with the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, would also have to take place, she said.
Ms Johnston is one of the most forthright critics of the current representation given to parents in the education system. She caused furore among teachers two years ago when she accused the ASTI of "behaving like terrorists" in its pay battle with the Government. She has long been impatient with the conservative approach of the council.
The council is not directly elected by parents' associations in schools. Instead, it comprises nominees from five groups representing Catholic schools, minority religions, Christian Brothers' schools, vocational schools and the community and comprehensive sector.
Its president, Mr Michael O'Regan, said he was disappointed by the group's decision. He said the council had no option but to go forward.
He rejected criticism that it had for many years been too conservative and afraid to speak out on issues regarding parent representation. "We work in a spirit of partnership," he said.