| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:DOW - Gunnersbury School Admission Policy | |
| Posted by: | Michael Robinson | |
| Date/Time: | 31/10/05 21:34:00 |
| "Have we had this discussion before? Don't dispute that some people in Northern Ireland want to move away from a faith based system for their children but very few are arguing that the system itself is the cause of the divisions in that society. Would you be in favour of a new system in which your kids were bussed into East Belfast in the cause of peace and harmony?" Yes we have been around this before! I'm not arguing that education is the cause of the divisions in N Ireland but equally anyone that claims that a seriously dysfunctional society like N Ireland happens to have a perfect education system is also stretching the bounds of credulity. Don't forget that the education system in N Ireland is influenced by both the dogma of the government in power and the dogma of the churches. So it is currently wrong to select children based on their ability but it is ok to select children based on their religion. Okayyyy... explain that one to me again....? I'm not in favour of coerced integration anymore than coerced segregation but there is a definite trend driven by parents away from faith based education. The vested interests in the churches are finding it difficult to come to terms with this. Ultimately this may lead to tough financial decisions about the viability of the funding model and particular schools - just as it does here. |