School Choice: Attitudes of
Parents of Children attending
Catholic Primary Schools

Mgr James Cassin / Eoin O'Mahony

Issue 386, vol.97, Summer 2008

The old patronage model, then, is going to be found co-existing with newer models. This will also be the case because of the increase in our population of non-nationals of many religions - So the question is ripe for discussion as to who (in addition to the State) should have a role in the running of a primary school.

In confronting this question, basic research is called for – particularly into parents’ reasons for choosing a particular school. And with this in mind, a survey-questionnaire was distributed to parents North and South (1,065 questionnaires were distributed, and 47.2% were returned). This formed the basis for the bishops’ report, Factors Determining School Choice – a report which is here summarized.

If all types of school were available (parents were asked), which type would they choose ? – 48% would opt for a school under the management of a religious denomination; 37% would opt for a school under a management which provided a ‘common religious framework’; and 10% would opt for a school not under the management of a religious denomination [Figures rounded].

Respondents were asked to rate the importance of the fact that a given school is under the management of the Catholic parish. The rating from 21% was “very important” and from 37% “important”. 14% answered “unimportant” / “very unimportant”. [28% offered no opinion. Figures rounded].

Asked if they agree that the churches should continue to have a prominent role in the provision of primary schooling, 21% of respondents answered “strongly agree” and 42% answered “agree”. 17% answered “disagree” [Figures rounded]. Of relevance here is the fact that, when asked how satisfied they were with their actual choice of school, 95.1% of parents answered “very satisfied” / “satisfied”.

Parents were asked to react to the view that many different cultures and religious backgrounds enhance a child’s education. To this, more than six times more parents answered “strongly agree” / “agree” than answered “strongly disagree” / “disagree”. Asked whether religious education in the school should present the beliefs and practices of all the world’s religions and faiths, roughly 58% of parents answered “strongly agree” / “agree”, while 24% answered “strongly disagree” / “disagree”.

Mgr. James Cassin is Secretary of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Education.

Eoin O’Mahony is Senior Researcher at the Council for Research and Development of the Irish Bishops’ Conference.