There have been several educational controversies in the Republic of Ireland.
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Eileen Flynn
In 1982 Eileen Flynn, a teacher, was sacked from her teaching post for being pregnant while unmarried.
Dunboyne Controversy
In 2002, Tomás Ó Dulaing, the headmaster of Gaelscoil Thúlach na nÓg in Dunboyne, County Meath was dismissed after a controversy over religious education in the school. The school is interdenominational, with education in both Catholic and Church of Ireland faiths. Tomás Ó Dulaing arranged for religious education classes to take place outside regular school hours after consulting with parents and management, but the schools patron body objected and the board of management sacked him. He was sacked for mis-conduct following his un authorised letter sent to parents of the children, this dismissal was upheld by the labour court after he withdrew his appeal.
Balbriggan Controversy
In 2007, controversy broke when a school in Balbriggan was reported to have only black pupils, all Irish-born, leading to accusations of de facto segregation in the school system. Some claimed it was an unintended consequence of the school enrolment policies, others blamed the state failing to plan for growth in the area. Because of the shortage of school places, an Educate Together school that was scheduled to open in 2008 was opened a year ahead of schedule.
Drogheda Controversy
During the 2009 Leaving Certificate examination, a school in Drogheda Co. Louth handed out English Paper Two instead of English Paper One. As a result the original date for English Paper Two was reset to the following Saturday with a different, contingency paper.
Protestant Schools grant controversy
See Protestant Schools grant controversy.
Leaving Certificate 2010 cheating controversy
In June 2010 a student alleged on boards.ie that cheating in the Leaving Certificate exams was happening in her school. The State Examinations Commission confirmed that it was investigating the allegations.
Ban of Muslim Veil
At the start of the 2010–2011 term there was controversy over an announcement that a number of Catholic run second level schools in Ireland have imposed a ban on Muslim girls covering their faces with a full veil, although head scarfs are allowed. Sikhs who attend Catholic run boys schools are allowed wear a Turban. The opposition Labour party education spokesperson (later minister of education Ruairi Quinn) had earlier called for a head scarf ban.