A CATHOLIC priest has welcomed moves by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to review government policy on small schools.
Father John Joe Duffy has been campaigning on behalf of small schools – including those from Protestant faiths – as the Government threatened to close some of them.
Minister Ruairi Quinn has been criticised over several policies hitting smaller schools.
“I welcome the conversion on the road to Damascus by Minister Quinn. For far too long this Minister has left rural schools, small schools and faith minority schools under a shadow of doubt about their very existence,” said the Twin Towns priest.
“The policies pursued by this Government have been destructive and detrimental to the primary school sector and the education of our young. Minister Quinn now realises today, that the policy was flawed.
“I am now demanding an immediate halt to any prospective closures, a reversal of the plethora of cuts that adversely affected small schools and for him to immediately guarantee their future.”
Father Duffy added: It is only then that the true seriousness and sincerity of the Minister’s announcement today can be taken for granted. I am fearful an announcement of this nature six days from polling day could be seen as an election gimmick, and the Minister needs to elaborate on what he has said in that context.”
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