Madam, - It would appear that Fintan O'Toole's response to the growing diversity of Irish society is to call for a state-run, one-size-fits-all model of education ( Opinion, December 18th).
Mr O'Toole argues that "the limited role of the State that was built into the system arose from conditions that have long since disappeared. The State, when the system evolved, was the United Kingdom and most Irish people, for obvious religious and political reasons, didn't like the notion that it would be shaping the minds of Irish children."
Can we therefore assume that Mr O'Toole is in fact advocating a system where the State should now play an active role in "shaping the minds of Irish children"? If so, may I respectfully point out that this approach has been tried in France, and does not seem to have resulted in a society that is noticeably more integrated than its neighbours. Indeed, the riots that ripped through the banlieues would suggest that if anything, France does not provide the ideal model for an integration strategy.
It has always struck me as strange that while the State, in its role as a provider of public services, has no sterner critic than Mr O'Toole, his answer to almost every problem faced by our country is to recommend more State involvement. Would he care to offer some proof that the State is capable of better managing the primary education system than its current voluntary managers? Given that State expenditure has soared over the past 10 years but that the improvement in the level and quality of services has not even begun to match the increases in funding, I think he might well find it a difficult argument to sustain.
There is no doubt, or indeed argument, that we need to rebalance the management of our school system to reflect the growing diversity of Irish society. Archbishop Martin has made this argument on many occasions. However, that does not mean that faith-based schools should cease to play an active role in education. Approximately 50 per cent of Irish people still attend Mass once a week, suggesting that there a sizeable number of people who wish to see their children educated in Catholic schools. Indeed, immigration may well increase the demand for a Catholic education, as Catholics make up the single largest religious grouping amongst the immigrant population.
Other faiths too will wish to provide an education compatible with their ethos: the growing number of Muslim schools is a clear indication of this. It is an entirely legitimate desire, which the State as the servant of the people should continue to facilitate.
It should also be noted that Catholic primary schools are already fulfilling their responsibilities in helping immigrants and their children to integrate. My own son has recently started school, and it would seem from the names of his friends that a majority of them are the children of newcomers. - Yours, etc,
SEAMUS MULCONRY, Ballinatone, Greenane, Co Wicklow.