Madam, - Parents in Dunboyne established an interdenominational gaelscoil to have religious instruction imparted to their children in an inclusive environment. The school board employed a principal to fulfil the parents' wishes. The school principal refused to carry out the instructions of his employers. The principal was dismissed. The principal appealed his dismissal to the Employment Appeals Tribunal. The principal and his union, the INTO, withdrew their appeal five minutes into the case. People can draw their own conclusions.
It might have helped the cause of balanced reporting and accuracy of record if Kathryn Holmquist (The Irish Times, April 9th) had not assumed that what she was hearing was actually what had happened. Expressing dismay at Church of Ireland children being forced (what an emotive verb) to sit in a religious instruction class displays the crassness of her analysis.
Parents chose this environment of inclusiveness for their children. Both religious grouping of parents want their children to share experiences and learn from each other. The school management and An Foras facilitated and defended this choice. People were perfectly entitled to chose an alternative method but opted for this one.
Those who look beyond the clichéd image of Irish-speaking reactionary troglodytes may espy a forward-looking voluntary body providing real choice to parents. I am sure the National Parents Council would agree if they were asked.
Reaction is coming from the usual sources dressed up as concerns about freedom of choice. Inability to cope with the complexity of choice is the real agenda. Who is providing choice and who is preventing development of the education system? Could it be that we are seeing the last kicks of a dying regime? And supported by The Irish Times! - Is mise,
EOGHAN Ó LAOIRE, Director, An Foras Pátrúnachta, Gleann Maghair, Co Chorcaí.