Catholic education "under threat"

[DaBrow]

The future of Catholic education in Northern Ireland is under "significant threat" from planned reforms, Cardinal Sean Brady has claimed.

He said plans to centralise control of education could "undermine the ethos" of Catholic schools.

BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Catholic education "under threat"


Every faith School should have the right to teach its values, morals and educate its pupils become a responsible citizen and good follower of the religion they are born and riased into.

The UK has forced Catholic Schools to waterdown if not supress the faith element, whilst making them accept children from backgrounds that completely contradict or oppose its moral values and teaching.................

does anyone else think this is wrong?

[Munion]

Schools divided along religious lines may not be the best idea for the north.

[factual]

The future of Catholic education in Northern Ireland is under "significant threat" from planned reforms, Cardinal Sean Brady has claimed.

He said plans to centralise control of education could "undermine the ethos" of Catholic schools.

BBC NEWS | Northern Ireland | Catholic education "under threat"

More integrated education would be helpful so I am not too concerned about what Sean Brady says. The folks up there in the six counties are still very divided, separated by peace walls (!) and in different schools. Its time the two commuities had more exposure to each other and the events of the last week underline the imporance of ratcheting up the integrated eduation agenda.

[NickCarraway]

From a purely philosophical POV I don't support denominational schools. However I can understand if people choose a denominational school over a secular one - the quality of education provided in religious schools is often not matched by secular, state run ones. Until such a time as secular schools can match the quality or religious ones people will continue to vote with their feet.

[DaBrow]

I have no qualms with educating Both Roman Catholics and Protestants in a Joint-Christian Ethos environment, providing that both groups are educated well and also are educated with traditional moral values etc.

The problem that I'm trying to mention is: watering down the ethos of established RC Schools and force them to take on pupils whom have no links or interest whatsoever...................... potentially secularising education and loweting the standards of academic teaching as result.

[factual]

From a purely philosophical POV I don't support denominational schools. However I can understand if people choose a denominational school over a secular one - the quality of education provided in religious schools is often not matched by secular, state run ones. Until such a time as secular schools can match the quality or religious ones people will continue to vote with their feet.

Under Caitriona Ruane's plans for the six counties, EVERY school will be a good school.

[JCSkinner]

Catch a grip, Factual. Ruane has had years to come up with plans and has NONE.
To the OP, this is a great development. Death to CCMS-sponsored segregation apartheid schooling in the North.
Only when all are educated together will sectarianism be defeated.

[Mazzy Maz]

What exactly is the "catholic ethos"? I went to community colleges, catholic schools and multi-denominational schools. They all had the same aims and methods, the only difference was the catholic ones made us say a prayer in the morning. What exactly is "under threat"?

[NickCarraway]

Under Caitriona Ruane's plans for the six counties, EVERY school will be a good school.

Plans are all well and good, but until secular schools are up, running and have proven themselves i believe parents will opt for religious schools they are confident will provide quality education.

[DaBrow]

From a purely philosophical POV I don't support denominational schools. However I can understand if people choose a denominational school over a secular one - the quality of education provided in religious schools is often not matched by secular, state run ones. Until such a time as secular schools can match the quality or religious ones people will continue to vote with their feet.

I went to a multi-denominational school for 2 and a half years when in the UK, it was virtually an academy for gangsters and other criminals. It still hasn't improved and now there are police stationed on the site permanently, faith schools have never had that problem.

Stabbings and violence are common occurance.......... please excuse the date but this just an example
BBC NEWS | England | South Yorkshire | City reveals teacher attacks toll
Riot cops at school - Sheffield Telegraph
Christianity in schools: why we're losing our religion - Telegraph