How Dalkey Finally Got Its MultiDenominational School

WHEN the Dalkey School Project opened the doors of its new school to the first hundred pupils at the beginning of this month, it became the first multi-denominational national school to be recognised by the Department of Education since 1922, with the exception of those for some handicapped children. For those involved, it represents a triumph over prejudice, intolerance and polite stone-walling on' the part of the Coalition Government lasting four long years.

The D.S.P. arose directly out of a small, almost acciidental experiment in multiidenominational education in St. Patrick's National School in Dalkey under a progressive Principal teacher, Florence Armstrong. The School was managed by the Church of Ireland clergyman, its premises ,were owned by the parish, and its patron was the Protestant Archbishop of Dublin. When expansion of the premises-due to the number of applications for enrolment - became necesssary, the Manager, supported by his Select Vestry, decided, instead, to reduce the number of children and to give priority of entry to children of Prootestant denomination from within the parish. Given such a restriction, the school quickly reverted to the parish school it had originally been and Armmstrong was seconded to Nigeria by the Department of Education.

By this time many parents whose children had attended St. Patrick's had become totally committed, not only to the idea of multi-denominational educaation, but also to the idea of a primary school run by a democratically elected management committee. They formed themmselves into the Dalkey School Project and the struggle for recognition began. They never achieved a meeting with Richard Burke, then Minister for Education. They wrote many letters asking for such a meeting. They all received polite acknowledgements but nothing more.

Local opposition to the project was expressed in 'muted form; it was suggested from both Protestant and Catholic pulpits that children should attend denominational schools only. A more insidious form of attack came in the shape of a document entitled COSC (Council of Social Concern) and coming, it seemed, from the address of the Knights of Columbanus in Ely Place. It was delivered to almost every house in the Dalkey area. It contained a little truth and a great deal of innuendo, hinting at Commmunist infiltration, among other evils. Two further pamplets made their appearrance. The first, "Are the snakes coming back?" was ready in time for distribution at the first D.S.P. Seminar held in Dun Laoire in 1976. The second, "Is Integrated Education the Answer?" made its appearance more recently and purported to be from a group of Catholic parents. The address given was that of the Irish Catholic. Inquiries were met with the answer that it was a peste restante address only,

Undeterred, the D.S.P. continued its' campaign. They canvassed candidates in both the Local ana General Elecctions, they organised a weekly market in Dalkey Town Hall to raise money for a school site ana, most important of all, they commissioned a survey of the area. Results published in 1977 showed then 75% of all parents with young children living in Dalkey area were in favour of multi-denominational education. In March 1977, B.B.C. 2's programme University of the Air examined the 'problems of integrated educaa.tion in Ireland. No Government spokesman was available. John 'Wilson, then Opposition Spokesman for Education, took part. He said that where there was clear support for it in an area, Fianna Fail would I support multi-denominational education. The same sentiiments were echoed at the party's Ard Fheis. By

September, Wilson, then Minister for Education, had initiated discussions with the D.S.P. If a site could be found, he was willing to consider their proposition favourably. He was strongly motivated by the Taoiseach's specific committment, and supported by other voices in the Government, notably that of Martin O'Donoghue, who's from the constituency.

By February a site had been acquired in Glenageary (financed entirely by the D.S.P. with the aid of some very generous local subbscribers), plans for the new school were being made (the building to be financed mostly by the Department of Educaation and completed in 1980), and a pre-enrolment form was delivered to every house in the area. The first hundred names received were accepted for entry to the school. and temporary premises were found off York Road in Dun Laoire and approved by the Department of Education. Teaching posts were advertised and Armstrong was appointed Principal.

The Department will pay the teachers' salaries and will give a grant of £8 per year per child towards the cost of heating and other expenses. The balance will be borne by the Board of Management. The Manageement structure is no different from that laid down in the Department of Education rules except in one vital respect: other Boards of Management have four persons nominated by the Patron - usually the Bishop. In this case the D.S.P. is the Patron. The parents will elect two person and the Principal teacher is ex-officio a member.

Elsewhere the movement towards multi-denominational education is gathering momentum. A group of parents in Marley Grange, Rathhfarnham were frustrated in their attempts when the Church of Ireland withdrew its offer of a building for such a school, but they are still active. In Bray, another group is working towards the Same ends and is seeking affiliation with the D.S.P. The D~S.P. has, in the words of its Chairman, "unlocked the system" and 'opened the way to a more enlightened era in Irish primary education.