TRC Welcome Retention of Right to Nominate Governors
The Transferor Representatives' Council (TRC) has welcomed the retention of the right of the Protestant Churches to nominate governors for Controlled schools within legislation introduced to establish the Education and Skills Authority (ESA). The Transferor Representatives' Council, which represents the voice of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland on education matters in Northern Ireland, has welcomed the agreement reached between the political parties to enable the Minister for Education to introduce legislation to establish the ESA. The TRC awaits the introduction of the second bill which will address school governance and various sectoral arrangements, however it notes the Minister's reassurance to the Assembly that 'The relevant legislative provisions will be retained, and the right of the Transferors to nominate school governors will remain.' The Revd Robert Herron, Chairman of the TRC, said, 'The Protestant Churches made representations to MLAs from all the political parties arguing that their long standing right to nominate governors for Controlled schools should be retained on the basis of fairness and equality. The TRC is grateful to the political parties for listening to their case and to those making representations on their behalf.' He also said that the Churches noted the Minister's comment: 'I recognise the importance of the contribution made by Transferors for many years, and the need to ensure that their involvement continues.' The Revd Ian Ellis, Secretary of the TRC, said, 'The Transferring Churches look forward to engaging with the Department of Education on the setting up of the Education and Skills Authority and playing their part as full partners in education. The TRC has other concerns about the proposed legislation, for example the structure and powers of the ESA, however it is hoped that these can be satisfactorily addressed by MLAs at the various stages of the Bill's progress through the Assembly. There has been considerable delay in getting to this stage, it is now important that everyone works together to create an education body that will deliver high quality support services to our schools.'
The Transferor Representatives' Council (TRC) represents the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and Methodist Church in Ireland in matters of educational policy in Northern Ireland.
The contact person for the TRC is the Revd Ian Ellis,Tel: (028) 9023 1202, Email: edunorth@ireland.anglican.org