Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the national representative body for Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), has welcomed the government publication of Guidance for School Communities on the Reconfiguration Process. General Secretary Paddy Lavelle stated “Irish society has changed significantly over the past number of decades. However, almost 90% of primary schools remain under the management of the Catholic church. It is important that parents in Ireland today have the choice to send their child to a multi-denominational school in their local area.”

• The Programme for Government prioritises the transfer of viable schools to the Community National School (CNS) model which are under the patronage of local Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
• There are currently 27 CNSs across the country with a 28th opening in September 2022 in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
• CNSs deliver the national primary school curriculum as set out by the Department of Education and have a ‘multi-denominational’ ethos rather than a religious ethos.
• CNSs understand ‘multi-denominational’ to mean that all children are treated equally throughout the school day, regardless of any aspect of their identity.
• Instead of a faith formation programme which is taught in religious schools, children follow a multi-belief and values education curriculum called ‘Goodness Me! Goodness You!’.
• CNSs also celebrate events that are important to the school community such as Christmas, Eid and Diwali throughout the school year.

“Although CNSs are multi-denominational, thousands of Catholic parents choose to send their children these schools,” Paddy Lavelle continued. “While they are raising their children as Catholic, these parents want their children to receive a progressive, high-quality education in a school that promotes equality and respect for diversity. Most of these parents still choose to have their children receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. This will also be the case for any school that moves from being a Catholic school to a CNS. In CNSs, sacramental preparation is facilitated by the local parish. These classes can take place in the parish or in the school after the school day”.

Paddy Lavelle concluded, “ETBI looks forward to supporting ETBs and school communities throughout the process of transferring from a religious patron to the CNS model. Although it may seem like a daunting task for a school community at first, we have already supported many schools through this process. This has ensured the successful transfer of these schools to the CNS model”