Proposing the Report of the Board of Education to the General Synod today, the Revd Brian O’Rourke (Cork) highlighted the importance of protecting the ethos of Church of Ireland schools, in a society that is becoming ever more secular.  He reminded Synod that there is still a huge demand for schools with the “characteristic spirit” of the Church of Ireland.  “As parents make choices for the education of their children it is very often to our schools that they look for that education,” he said.  “Many of our schools have long waiting lists – the reason being that parents appreciate the way our ethos permeates every aspect of school life.”

The Revd Canon Des Sinnamon (Dublin) told Synod of how important it was to think of the number of parents who are deprived of their choice of where to educate their children.  Often, there are more applicants than places in many Church of Ireland schools and children have to be turned away.  He asked whether there was a way of establishing a dialogue with the Government with the aim of bringing about a situation where the distinctive ethos of the Church of Ireland schools can be made available across a wider range of educational establishments.

Provost Patrick Towers (Tuam) remarked that retaining an ethos in the schools which is clearly linked to faith was very important in this secular society.  There are many who believe only in the importance of the knowledge economy, he said and oftentimes it is the teachers who must come into conflict with this attitude.  He urged Synod to support the Boards of Management of the schools and teachers against the expectations of those who value the interests of individual over and against the good of the community as a whole.

The Revd Brian O’Rourke also spoke of his disappointment in the State’s failure to provide paid chaplains in voluntary secondary schools.  “There is what might be called a suicide epidemic throughout our country with teenage suicide sadly becoming all too common and schools badly need a pastoral presence which can support and encourage pupils who are finding the pressures of daily life so difficult they would contemplate such a terrible step,” he said.

The Very Revd Arfon Williams (Elphin) agreed, saying that chaplains play a very important role in the preservation of spiritual welfare.  Their role is vital, particularly at Secondary level.  “Who will bring pressure to bear on the Government to recognise this?” he said of Synod members.

Seconding the Report, the Venerable Stephen Forde (Connor) outlined three areas of far reaching change that are currently happening in the world of education in Northern Ireland.  The first of which, the Review of Public Administration, is set to have “far reaching consequences” for the Church.  “Under the new proposals, transferors will have no right of representation on the Education and Skills Authority which is to replace the Area Boards.  Simultaneously, by an application of Equality Legislation, the transferor churches have been informed that they will loose the right to nominate transferor representatives to most local school boards.  This is a position which the Transferors’ Representative Council (the TRC) considers must face independent legal challenge,” he told members.  He then asked the question:  “Is our Church of Ireland involvement with education base only on historical precedent, or is it because of a Gospel imperative to shape the society we live in?”

The Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher, also encouraged the Church to engage with the debate on these proposals.  “To set the debate about provision for education within this review concentrates our minds on an opportunity for developments in education which has not been there before.  It is vital that this opportunity be gasped – and quickly,” he said.

The Revd Canon McKegney (Armagh) paid credit to the hard working governors who take their role very seriously.  He told Synod that their contribution to schools is undeniable as they do not have “a political axe to grind.”  He acknowledged the huge time of flux that Northern Ireland is experiencing, with regard to administration and curriculum changes.  He wished good luck to Catriona Ruane as she takes up her new post as Minister, and expressed his hope that she would listen and be responsive to the needs of transferors.

The other areas of change which Archdeacon Forde spoke of were the Bain Review, which reported in February 2007, and The Northern Ireland Education Order of July 2006 which proposes changes to the school curriculum and educational entitlement.  He added that one of the most challenging decisions that would be facing the new Minister would be the issue of academic selection.

“Members of Synod, the wind of change blows strongly across all aspects of Education in Northern Ireland.  Whether our Church considers this wind to be a cold draught, or a welcome change of direction, depends upon the role in education which this church chooses for itself,” Archdeacon Forde concluded.

A response by the Transferor Representatives’ (TRC) to the Department of Education regarding the Review of Public Administration Policy Papers (January 2007) can be found here.