In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I explore the recent survey conducted by the Irish Department of Education concerning primary school patronage. I also discuss the legacy left by former Minister Helen McEntee and give my initial thoughts on the new Minister Hildegarde Naughton. I raise questions about the survey’s efficacy, its democratic value, and its alignment with the constitutional rights of children. I provide a historical context on the secular roots of Irish primary education and argue for state-run, multi-denominational schools.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:31 A New Minister for Education
01:37 Legacy of Helen McEntee
02:30 The Primary School Ethos Survey
03:53 Survey Questions and Parental Choices
06:25 Critique of the Survey’s Purpose
09:08 Human Rights and Education
23:52 Historical Context of Religious Schools
26:25 Conclusion: The Need for Genuine Reform
