The bitter dispute at the Gaelscoil in Dunboyne, Co Meath, has become still more serious with a group of parents claiming that the closure of the school is now a distinct possibility. The parents, who strongly support the principal, Mr Tomas Ó Dúlaing - now facing dismissal - blame the actions of the board of management for the crisis.
Mr Ó Dúlaing is facing dismissal from the school because he wants to protect the minority Protestant pupils from any form of segregation during religion classes. He argues that preparation for Communion should take place outside normal school hours. Mr Ó Dúlaing claims it is wrong that Protestant pupils should have to remove themselves when their Catholic classmates are being taught about Communion. But the board of management says all religious instruction must take place in school hours.
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The group of parents supporting Mr Ó Dúlaing claim they represent a majority at the school. It is clear that a very significant number of parents at the school have been alienated by the action of the board.
While the board denies there is any threat to the future of the school, the gulf which has been allowed to develop between it and many parents speaks volumes. In practical terms, the board appears to enjoy more power than the parents who have entrusted their children to the school. In itself, this underlines the marginalisation of parents in the Irish education system. The parents believe the principal should be allowed return to work. They also want the establishment of a national forum, involving church representatives, which would deal with disagreements over religious issues in schools.
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These are not unreasonable demands , which the facilitator who is now attempting to resolve the dispute, could usefully examine. But it may be that the dispute could actually worsen next week when the schools' patron body, Foras Pátrúnachta, holds a hearing into whether Mr Ó Dúlaing should be dismissed. It is still not too late for the board to yield ground and to display some generosity. The board can dig in and fight on. But even if it does, it will secure no kind of "victory".
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