Religion, Equity and Education in Northern Ireland

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Abstract
For some years concern has been expressed about the lower qualifications of leavers from Catholic schools in Northern Ireland in comparison with leavers from Protestant schools. The paper outlines research carried out for the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights on possible contributory factors to this attainment gap. The research highlighted the effects of different funding arrangements for Catholic schools and a shortage of grammar school places in the Catholic sector, and recommended proactive measures by government to deal with these issues. The recommendations were based on equity principles and were argued as being consistent with declared government policy on fair employment in Northern Ireland on religious grounds. Following the research findings the Government announced extra funds to increase grammar school provision in Catholic schools and changed the arrangements for capital grants to permit Catholic schools to receive 100% grant. The paper suggests that the application of equity principles in this case may be relevant to the issue of denominational schools in Britain.

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