THURSDAY'S NEWS
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Concern over lack of
schools’ inclusion in State capital spending
(report courtesy of Rev Gregg Ryan of the Church
Times)
None of the Protestant secondary
schools in the Irish Republic were included in the government’s
capital spending programme to improve their infrastructure, the
Church of Ireland General Synod heard in Dublin.
Already, the Government’s listing of
capital projects in the overall schools sector in the Republic of
Ireland has highlighted the enormous backlog of building work to be
done to the tune of three hundred million Euros a year for five
years in the primary sector alone.
Speaking at the Church of Ireland
General Synod in Dublin today, the Rt Rev Ken Clarke, Bishop of
Kilmore, continued: “This Synod needs to say clearly that no child
should have to learn or teacher work in premises which are unhealthy
and unsafe. However whilst many premises are in urgent need of major
upgrading the excellence of our teachers is outstanding. Despite, in
some cases, difficult conditions and limited resources they give our
children an education which is second to none.”
Referring to recent calls for a State
primary religious programme, Bishop Clarke said the reality at
school level is that the Follow Me programme supported by the Church
of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian churches has been very
acceptable for the children who come from many different religious
traditions.
“It is acceptable because it is
religious education not instruction or formation,” he said. “These
latter aspects are the responsibility of the Church within the
parish and congregation. The distinction is sometimes forgotten.”
(report courtesy of Rev Gregg Ryan of
the Church Times)
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