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GAZETTE
B
K
E V I
W
JUNE 1992
Religion, Education and the
Constitution
Edited by Dermot A Lane. (Dublin,
The Columba Press, 1992 IR£6.99,
119pp, paperback.)
Article 42 of Bunreacht na hÉireann
provides that the State acknowledges
that the primary and natural
educator of the child is the family.
For two short years, your reviewer
experienced the privilege of
educating students in two secondary
schools. The philosophy that
appealed most to your reviewer at
that time was that expounded in
The
School and Society
written by
John
Dewey
and first published in 1899.
Dewey argued that what the best and
wisest parent wanted for his or her
own child, that must the community
want for all of its children. Any
other ideal for our schools was
narrow and unlovely: acted upon, it
destroyed democracy.
This book is introduced and edited
by
Dermot A Lane,
Director of
Studies at the Mater Dei Institute of
Education in Dublin. The book
comprises four papers given on the
occasion of the Mater Dei Institute
celebrating its Silver Jubilee of
involvement in teacher education.
The Institute also wished to provide
a forum for the public discussion on
education in the context of the
Government's forthcoming White
paper relating to a proposed
Education Act.
The first essay is by Professor
John
M Hull
and is entitled "Religion
and Education in a Pluralist
Society". In one section of his
paper, Professor Hull focuses on
the role of religious education as
an emancipatory discipline, with
a capacity to liberate adults and
children from oppressive aspects
of religion. What a truly magnificent
and Christian concept!
"Usefulness and Liberal Learning"
is the title of the paper delivered by
Kevin Williams.
The writer argues
that it is through the curriculum of
liberal learning that we best serve the
human and potential needs of our
young people. Some of our
Government Ministers may not
agree. Your reviewer, however,
submits that liberal learning should
co-exist with appropriate subjects
relating to vocational skills.
In "Irish Education Policy in a
Philosophical Perspective: The
Legacy of Liberalism",
Eoin
Cassidy
considers the relative
neglect of an explicit philosophy of
education.
Gerry Whyte,
a law lecturer and
fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, in
the final paper, "Education and the
Constitution", examines several
issues relating to education including
the possible constitutional
implications for State financing of
denominational education. He
considers the possible conflict in
constitutional terms between a policy
of support for denominational
education and a policy of neutrality
towards the financing of religion
generally.
Lawyers will find in
Religion,
Education and the Constitution
much food for debate and reflection.
Gerry Whyte's contribution, in
particular, is rich in perceptive
observations. The critiques developed
by Gerry Whyte are likely to prod
many readers into reflecting afresh
about some of their long-held
views on education and the*
Constitution.
Eamonn G Hall
Family Finance
by Colm Rapple
(Squirrel Press, £4.50, 252pp,
paperback)
Solicitors frequently find themselves
acting for successful clients who
have problems coping with personal
finance. The solicitor finds himself
or herself cast in the role of debt
counsellor.
For practical down to earth advice
this book has got to be number
one on the recommended reading
list. It contains all the knowledge
and information necessary in this
area. The application of advice
given is the only step needed to
be taken after reading it. This is
made all the more easy by a
simple device used by the author.
He had illustrated various money
making or practical hints by
putting little squirrels in the
margin to highlight the relevant
passages.
For fourteen years now
Colm Rapple
has been producing this publication,
each year updating it with fresh
information on developments on
such topics as the Budget, PAYE,
income tax, covenants, inheritance
and gift taxes, capital gains and tax
saving investment schemes. He also
covers such subjects as redundancy
entitlements, social welfare,
consumer and worker rights. . .
the list goes on and on.
The book itself is well laid out and
easy to read. As a reference book it
is invaluable and at £4.50 you
cannot go wrong.
Mr. Rapple can expect this book to
continue to sell year after year after
year.
Justin McKenna
141