Solar Panels, Schools and Gifts to the Vatican

The government have begun retrofitting solar panels into primary schools. Politicians are often seen in local newspapers, proudly celebrating these green advancements in educational institutions. It’s an intriguing development, especially considering the significant investment involved — think along the lines of 110 million euros for retrofitting solar panels on school buildings.

The Controversy of Ownership and Public Funding

This trend brings to mind a heated debate from a few years ago related to the national maternity hospital. Back then, tens of thousands of people protested the 2 billion euro project, primarily because the newly built hospital would be handed back to the Catholic Church. This sparked outrage and demonstrations, as the idea of such a costly investment being ultimately controlled by a religious entity was highly controversial.

Reflecting on this, I can’t help but draw parallels to the current situation with schools. Annually, we see numerous schools being refurbished or even rebuilt, with the total expenditure likely exceeding that 2 billion euro mark. Yet, all these renovated and new school buildings are eventually handed back to the Catholic Church. This fact seems to slip under the radar, without sparking the kind of public outcry seen with the maternity hospital.

On a personal note, I’ve faced criticism for pointing this out, often being accused of bias due to my association with Educate Together. However, I emphasise that my opinions are my own and not influenced by my employment. My inability to work in a denominational school stems from my personal stance on religious ethos, not from any institutional allegiance. However, I will say, it is sometimes easier to dismiss the person instead of the argument.

But let’s delve deeper. The core issue here is the recurrent pattern of public funds being used for projects that ultimately benefit private entities — in this case, the Catholic Church. This isn’t just about being anti-Catholic; it’s a matter of principle that applies to any private body benefiting from public expenditure.

This situation can be compared to the current public discontent over private individuals profiting from government contracts for asylum seeker accommodations. It is undeniable that many people are protesting with racist undertones of such arrangements but, to be fair, there is the broader issue of public money lining the pockets of private landlords.

Schools are no exception. While politicians may celebrate the funding for eco-friendly upgrades like solar panels, the fact remains that these state-funded improvements ultimately become assets of the Catholic Church, not public property.

It’s intriguing to note the different public reactions to the maternity hospital case versus the ongoing situation with schools. It seems that while there’s a strong sentiment against giving control to religious entities in some cases, similar scenarios in the education sector don’t evoke the same level of opposition.

This discrepancy raises important questions about our collective values and priorities. Why is there such a disparity in our responses to what are essentially similar issues of public funding and private ownership? It’s a topic that merits further discussion and reflection, especially considering the significant investments being made in our schools.