Future of Catholic Grammar Schools

Eleven Plus (11+) in Northern Ireland

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
Loopyloulou
Posts: 878
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:20 pm

Future of Catholic Grammar Schools

Post by Loopyloulou »

Seems very odd to me that Bishop Donal McKeown, and NICCE, want to abolish academic selection in the Catholic grammar schools. They seem to believe (which is not a tenet of the Catholic faith) that selection by academic ability is morally unjustifiable. But they are quite happy that selection on grounds of religious affiliation, rather than on grounds of academic ability, is morally justifiable.

I'd have thought the two positions are morally identical. Either one is happy with selection per se, or one is not.

Interesting that the bishops in England & Wales don't have the same moral objection to selection by ability in education. Why is NI morally different?
Loopy
Looking for help
Posts: 3767
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Berkshire

Post by Looking for help »

It is the same in Berkshire where there is a propoals to combine St Bernard's Catholic Grammar with St Joseph's Catholic comprehensive.
I don't think the church is morally against selection, it just cannot provide funding for two schools in one area.

LFH
Loopyloulou
Posts: 878
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:20 pm

Post by Loopyloulou »

The position in Berkshire does seem simply to be about money, with St Bernard's being a victim of the government's refusal to provide "Building Schools for the Future" cash to grammar schools - though this is not a problem for other LEA's so clearly politics must be involved somewhere. (I wonder whether the cash will be forthcoming now anyway, given the mess we're in).
What I don't like about the NI arrangements is that it seems to be confusing religious and secular values in education in what seems a very confused way. I am worried that the moral philosophical thinking by the religious authorities making this decision is influenced by matters other than Catholic teaching; and I would like to know why the Church authorities have decided as they have. Is it, for example, political pressure to support Catholic NI politicians?
Loopy
Post Reply
11 Plus Mocks - Practise the real exam experience - Book Now