Press Releases12 May 05

Bishop of Cork warns education regulation risks 'terrifying volunteers'

In his address proposing adoption of the Board of Education (Republic of Ireland) report at the Church of Ireland General Synod in Dublin, the Bishop of Cork, the Rt Revd Paul Coulton argued the new legislative framework for the education sector is too complicated and burdensome for the volunteers who manage schools.

He said "We all recognise the complexity of legislating for and administering the education sector. However, the system that has been devised is being added to layer upon layer is putting too many demands on Boards of Management particularly in areas where the pool of volunteers, for demographic reasons, is small. Similarly, it is too burdensome on teaching principals in small schools."

Referring to concerns expressed to him by the voluntary Chairpersons of Boards of Management on their responsibilities the Bishop continued "I believe quite simply there is a need to streamline (minimise even) regulatory requirements. I know this sector has just been given a new legislative framework. But there are signs already that the law needs to be simplified and clarified if it is to be implemented by volunteers."

Concluding on the topic, the Bishop said "we run the risk of terrifying the volunteers into inertia. Worse still people will stop volunteering for this core activity in our society. Without that voluntary work the educational system will collapse."