Churches Squeezed Out
Northern Ireland Excludes Protestants in Education Planning
The exclusion of Protestant churches may dismissed as a mistake but unless they are included, it could cause another religious divide in Northern Ireland.
Recent meetings to discuss primary education in Northern Ireland have been missing the three main Protestant churches in the country, leading to church leaders expressing their dismay.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane announced the groups to help determine post-primary school provision and blamed “a breakdown in communication” for the exclusion, but the consequences may be greater than she imagines unless she takes action now.
The Education System
The education system in Northern Ireland is similar to that in England and Wales and Scotland, but with some subtle differences.
The main one is that Northern Ireland is the largest area in the UK which still uses the 11-plus exam to determine whether pupils attend grammar school or not. This is due to be phased out this year and so Local Education and Library Boards are planning education provisions to replace this system.
There are five Local Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland; and nearly 550 Catholic-managed schools in the country, responsible for educating roughly 45% of the children.
The Current Problems
A central group is being set up to discuss and lead the talks on post-primary education. The central group will take the lead, with representatives from the Education and Library Boards and sectors such as Catholic, integrated and Irish language. Yet Protestant groups have not been officially listed as members of the group, which excludes the three main Protestant churches: Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist, who expressed "deep disquiet" at the news.
Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh Alan Harper said the minister had "miscalculated" on the issue and that the churches would be "very willing partners...I don't take the view that we should no longer be regarded as stakeholders in this matter," he said. "We now seem to be being specifically squeezed out of the process and I don't think that members of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church the Methodist Church and the other churches across Northern Ireland will be pleased to see that happening."
Why Does This Happen?
Although the church exclusion has been explained as a breakdown in communication, it has angered Unionists and other groups who are working hard for integration in the former troubled country.
Described as a “deeply committed human rights and community activist”, Sinn Fein politician Caitriona Ruane has made a serious error of judgement which is likely to backfire unless she can quickly smooth things over with Protestant church leaders.
Whether it was a simple mistake is something yet to be seen, but unless Ruane can extend a very generous olive branch, it may be another fissure in the Northern Ireland peace process.
Sources:
(1) Education in Northern Ireland
(2) Church 'school exclusion' anger
