A voluntary secondary school (alternatively: secondary school) in Ireland is a type of secondary education school that is privately owned and managed, often by church authorities, especially in the case of the Roman Catholic religion. Like national schools they are funded to a large extent by the state, on a per capita basis, with the local community often topping up funding, whilst approximately 90% of teachers' salaries are met by the state.
The voluntary secondary schools are attended by about 60% of secondary education students and still form the largest part of the secondary school system. The schools are generally managed by a Board of Management or less often a patron or religious institute with a principal in general control of everyday business.
Some voluntary secondary schools are boarding schools, this is particularly so in the case of Protestant, many of which are Church of Ireland, as students cannot commute daily to such schools which are often located only in a few provincial towns. These schools generally receive additional grants to the normal per capita grant.
Famous quotes containing the words voluntary, secondary and/or school:
“All religions have based morality on obedience, that is to say, on voluntary slavery. That is why they have always been more pernicious than any political organisation. For the latter makes use of violence, the former—of the corruption of the will.”
—Alexander Herzen (1812–1870)
“The prime purpose of being four is to enjoy being four—of secondary importance is to prepare for being five.”
—Jim Trelease (20th century)
“In truth, the legitimate contention is, not of one age or school of literary art against another, but of all successive schools alike, against the stupidity which is dead to the substance, and the vulgarity which is dead to form.”
—Walter Pater (1839–1894)