Sir, - We in Educate Together were astonished at the response of the Minister for Education, as reported by you on November 8th, to the excellent article by Fintan O'Toole (November 1st) regarding the true state of pluralism in Irish education. We would like to congratulate Mr O'Toole on this article, which reported accurately and most astutely the situation that we in the multi denominational sector find ourselves in today, and in particular, the plight of Crumlin Multi denominational school.
Despite the Minister's assertion that her department is working to resolve the problem, we cannot accept that the situation is being tackled with sufficient urgency. The efforts of the parents involved have met with indifference and inaction from the Department of Education. We in Educate Together have sought meetings with the Minister on several occasions over the last 18 months and as yet she has not been able to make herself available to us. Neither have we been able to meet with the Minister for Equality and Law Reform. If this Government is serious about pluralism, we find it amazing that it has not consulted with the only school sector with practical experience of a truly pluralist ethos.
The appalling situation in which the Crumlin Multi denominational school now finds itself in could be eased immediately (though not solved) by affording it full recognition without delay, and thereby providing access to badly needed capital funding.
The aspirational policy, as enunciated in the White Paper, of a pluralist educational system rings hollow in our ears when the majority of our nation's primary [schools are to be unambiguously deemed denominational by forthcoming legislation. The only alternative to parents, the multi denominational sector, is being stunted and strangled by lack of Government support, despite there being an overwhelming demand for this type of education. The requirement of parent groups to source and fund sites and premises, in order to avail of multi denominational education, is a disgrace.
We appeal to the Minister for Education to reconsider her attitude to our sector and respect the human rights of a significant number of the nation's children so that, as our Constitution requires, they may be cherished equally. Access to a "free" education within a pluralist environment should not be dependent on financial means. - Yours, etc.,
Chairperson,
Educate Together,
Ballinclea Heights, Killiney,
Co Dublin.