Why are there so few state owned / state run schools in Ireland?

Sorry, not very interested in this thread as it's been done to death, but let's just clear it up quick. Many people don't have an option, you're working under an assumption all children have access to multiple schools, which is simply not true. My own children (and their mother) live in a rural town in the arsehole of Limerick, and there are two schools nearby. One primary, one secondary. Both are Catholic schools. Any truly non-denominational schools are far far out of reach for them to attend.

And please don't say "move closer to them" because given the housing market that is quite frankly not an option for even more people across the country.

This thread just made me think of this.

Seriously though, the church has had a huge involvement in education in Ireland for centuries so it's probably because of the historic significance that things are the way they are with schools. The government probably thinks it's just easier to let the church do it.

OP, I was brought up an atheist, going to Catholic schools (Early 80s to mid 90s) and I now teach in a school with a Catholic ethos. Apart from the fact that I used to pick stupid fights with my unfortunate religion teachers and get the occasional classes off to go to masses when I was a student, the supposed ethos had no effect on my education.

Apart from the shadow of section 37 the ethos of my current school has no effect on my life. I actually used to teach religion, at this school and my last one. I have never had to be secretive about having been brought up an atheist. I hate section 37 but I do not know of one case where it has been implemented. I'd love to see a school try.

You have some weird axe to grind here. If you are, as you claim to be, a recent arrival to Ireland, I suggest you take a little longer to gather facts before you form your impressions of systemic racism.

Section 37... https://www.ihrec.ie/app/uploads/download/pdf/recommendation_paper_re_section_37_amendment.pdf

I didn't say you were, I was directly replying to the claim that people have options. They really don't.

edit: as for the OP's claim of racism in the Irish educational system, I'd love to see proof of that.

To err is human.

There are plenty of State-owned schools at second level (ETB), but few at primary level.

Taking the GRETB as an example, they have 19 second level, and two primary schools.

The state should be bothered. It's not up to individual citizens to provide suitable, modern education for children in Ireland.

The state could build schools and then let local appointed boards or educate together run them

You want a public servant sitting in an office a long way away from your town to be responsible for building and hiring staff for schools in your town? Think a bit harder about how well that would work.

Local patronage is critical for making the system effective.

They do this already = ETBs.

Yeah, let’s teach kids that zombies, “god”, talking donkeys and the rest of that nonsense is real.

Oh, and let’s turn the genocide of this god character in to an amusing story for kids.

The first government of the Irish Free State made a deal with the Catholic Church.

The church provided the land for schools, and in exchange, the schools would teach (force upon the kids) Catholicism.

At the end of the day, all Christian religions are the same. Believe in god, or go to hell. Just go with it. Your kids are going to grow up and realise that it's all lies anyway.

There’s Muslim school girls in Thurles going to Catholic schools in the town wearing hijabs. Schools obviously respect their faith otherwise they’d have went to the VEC run colaiste mhuire

All religious indoctrination of children, should be outlawed in the state.

Within schools, and everywhere else where it takes place. It's child abuse!

Because the change from people not wanting religion in schools is relatively recent. It won't change over night. The ET schools get built usually through local lobbying. From people wanting it built.

Being realistic if you live in the middle of nowhere you are going to get these changes last. Maybe even never if there isn't enough local demand.

Not a bit fan of movies and books then I guess.

I often wonder do some people live in the real world?

If there are attempts are indoctrination happening in schools (hint: there aren't), then it's not working very well, as church attendance is falling!!!

I have children in a church-owned school, and obviously there isn't any indoctrination.

Some people seem to think it's 1921, not 2021.

Or that Ireland is full of madrasa schools.