The History of Irish Education by John Coolahan - Book Report/Review Example

THE CHAPTER REVIEW ON IRISH EDUCATION: IT’S HISTORY AND STRUCTURE BY JOHN COOLAHAN.1981 CHAPTER P22-24 Biography of the In Irish educational scenario, the name of John Coolahan has its own relevance. He is educations everyman. He is a household name in Irish homes not just because of his public profile but for his positive attitude towards so many pupils and students. For the last 50 years John Coolahan has served as a primary teacher, secondary teacher, and teacher trainer and at last a university professor. He is a professor of education in the National university of Ireland he qualified as a teacher from Saint Patrick’s college, Drumcondra. He got his BA, HDE and MA from the University College in Dublin. No doubt, he is regarded as an expert on the educational system of Ireland. Of late he has been a policy maker in the Irish educational department. When he talks, all other policy makers listen. He has become a pivotal figure in the educational system for many decades. The first chapter “primary education” in the book, Irish education, its history and structure by John Coolahan provides a short history about the educational structure and circumstances in Ireland. The chapter in the book covers the period since the early nineteenth century as well as the present educational system today. The book attempts to fulfill historical background of Irish education from the early nineteenth century till the educational scenario in 1980’s. The book treats all contemporary institutions, policies as well as trends with respect to their developing historical contexts. This chapter in the book is valuable to a wide range of readers who are interested in history of primary education. It can meet the requirements of researchers, teachers, and students of education who are actively pursuing the different facets of Irish education. Moreover, it is also handy for parents and school administrators who feel the requirement of a guide in today’s complex educational system. This chapter clearly gives a general understanding about the dynamics of the educational system and also facilitates the rational future development. The education budget in Ireland is about 700 million; this is the second largest public spending by the government. The educational system in Ireland has around 40000 teachers and ahs the capacity to affect the life of all the citizens in all ways. One third of the population in the country is engaged in some type of formal educational activities. The educational setup in the country has gained significance because of the increasing community participation and the increasing stress of cost effectiveness in public expenditure. Other than people who are directly involved like students, parents and teachers along with administrators. Awareness of the educational system is important for other categories of people like politicians, public service personnel, and general tax payers. Moreover deciscions on educational system have long term effect on the society. Increase in population and needs of the society have also had an impact on the educational field. All these factors have made this book a substantial contribution in this area. The first chapter in this book has been written with a planned perspective. It serves the requirements of different types of readers. Moreover the structure allows the user to locate specific sources of information quickly. The book is divided into two parts, the first part deals with primary, secondary, technical and university education up to the 1960’s. Each chapter starts with a general introduction followed by highlightment of the issues involved. The main sections of development in each sector are identified along with political, social and educational influences that shaped them. The writing styles of the book have clarity as well as consciousness. This helps the reader to get more details. Date charts, references and bibliography are used vividly. The part 2 of the book covers the period from 1960’s to 1980. In this part the major transition made by the Irish society in the field of education is dealt with. The second part describes the present structure of the Irish educational system and also examines the changes occurring in the institutional, economical, legal and social environments. This part also deals with the white paper on educational development published in1980 along with other issues like curriculum, exam policies, adult education, special education and teaching profession (Reviews. 1982). The history of Irish education has wide standpoints. When the national open schooling system was introduced in the year 1831 under the control of the state, managerial positions were given to the protestant and catholic persons having good reputation. The agreement between the state and the persons responsible to open and run the school was that the religious beliefs of the students should be protected and should not be tampered with. But this clause was not agreed by the denominations to the agreement because they ought for a push for schooling the children on the basis of religious beliefs and values. The state soon was forced to comply with these demands. From 1922 to 1960, there was a strong relationship between the church and the state which was purely symbiotic. Meanwhile the Catholic Church became a power and exercised its control over children’s education in Ireland. When the Catholic Church began to use its power in education, it gained strong foothold in the increasingly denominational national schools which was run by nuns and Christian brothers. The parent’s did not have any voice concerning their children’s education. The church had an ultimate power (Gaelic Catholic State, Making of. 2010). These historical facts in the Irish educational sector are vividly explained by John Coolahan in his book. The author has used a good descriptive style to express his ideas. Moreover Coolahan has made special references to Daniel’o Connell, Thomas Spring Rice, Thomas Wyse etc who were members of parliament in the first chapter. Teachers training also get special remarks. The influence of national board in the school curriculum is highlighted. While the introduction of agricultural education proposed by the national board is also mentioned along with. Truly speaking, the first chapter of this book is an invaluable source for understanding the evolution of primary Irish education system fro the period 1800 to 1980.This is the most important part of this chapter. The chapter exclusively deals with the history of primary education. This book can be recommended as a standard reference book that examines the different levels of education sectors of Ireland from 1800 to 1980. The book provides a historical context necessary for thoroughly understanding the Irish educational system. Conclusion: The author, John Coolahan has an opinion that is highlighted in the book; this opinion is that one cannot understand the changes that are taking place in modern Ireland without knowing the historical context of primary, secondary, technical and university education of Ireland. A major criticism of this book is that it gives undue importance to catholic styles of educational patterns prevailing in Ireland. Even though other culture is still working in Ireland, they were totally ignored. The influence of the Catholic Church in the area of primary Irish education is highlights and given sizable complements (Coolahan. 1981.p22-24). Reference: Coolahan. J. Irish education: its history and structure. Dublin: Institute of public administration. 1981.   Gaelic Catholic State, Making of. (2010). Retrieved on November 1, 2010 from http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/eich_01/eich_01_00165.html Reviews. (1982). Retrieved on November 1, 2010 from. http://www.jstor.org/pss/3121223. Read More