Menu
13/12/2012
Parents Demand Greater Choice On Primary School Patronage
Surveys undertaken in five pilot areas on primary school patronage show that there is parental demand for a greater choice of patron in each town.
The surveys were conducted in Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall as part of the Minister for Education & Skills' response to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary sector. These five areas were chosen to pilot the survey before it is extended to the balance of 44 towns identified following the Forum Report.
The surveys show that in the five areas Educate Together has emerged as the first choice of alternative patron. Each of the five towns already has an existing Gaelscoil, which is capable of accommodating the demand expressed for Irish language medium schools.
Publishing the Department's report on the five surveys to the New Schools Establishment Group, the body tasked with verifying the information, Minister Ruairí Quinn T.D. said: "Parents have been given a voice through this survey process to express a preference for the types of schools they want to send their children to. While many are happy with the schools already available in their area, there is a clear demand from others for greater choice.
"I will now ask the main patron in each area, the Catholic Bishop or Archbishop, to consider the re-configuration options open to him which would allow sufficient school accommodation to be made available to facilitate this choice."
The Minister is requesting each of the patrons to consult with their local school communities. The Department is requesting an interim response in three months and a final response in six months.
(CD/GK)
The surveys were conducted in Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall as part of the Minister for Education & Skills' response to the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary sector. These five areas were chosen to pilot the survey before it is extended to the balance of 44 towns identified following the Forum Report.
The surveys show that in the five areas Educate Together has emerged as the first choice of alternative patron. Each of the five towns already has an existing Gaelscoil, which is capable of accommodating the demand expressed for Irish language medium schools.
Publishing the Department's report on the five surveys to the New Schools Establishment Group, the body tasked with verifying the information, Minister Ruairí Quinn T.D. said: "Parents have been given a voice through this survey process to express a preference for the types of schools they want to send their children to. While many are happy with the schools already available in their area, there is a clear demand from others for greater choice.
"I will now ask the main patron in each area, the Catholic Bishop or Archbishop, to consider the re-configuration options open to him which would allow sufficient school accommodation to be made available to facilitate this choice."
The Minister is requesting each of the patrons to consult with their local school communities. The Department is requesting an interim response in three months and a final response in six months.
(CD/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 September 2019
25% Of Pupils With Disabilities On Short School Days
One in four children with disabilities in Ireland are missing classes and opportunities to socialise with other children as they are on short school days, a new report has found.
25% Of Pupils With Disabilities On Short School Days
One in four children with disabilities in Ireland are missing classes and opportunities to socialise with other children as they are on short school days, a new report has found.
08 March 2013
Summercove National School Removed From Priority List
Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan has slammed the Education Minister for removing Summercove National School from the priority list for a new school building despite the fact it has been on this list for 12 years. Senator O'Donovan commented: "Summercove National School has been on a priority list for a new school building for 12 years.
Summercove National School Removed From Priority List
Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan has slammed the Education Minister for removing Summercove National School from the priority list for a new school building despite the fact it has been on this list for 12 years. Senator O'Donovan commented: "Summercove National School has been on a priority list for a new school building for 12 years.
25 September 2012
Minister For Education Commits To 100 New Schools
The Minister for Education has announced that more than 100 new schools are to be built over the next five years to cope in order to cope with a “massive rise” in the number of children who will need school places.
Minister For Education Commits To 100 New Schools
The Minister for Education has announced that more than 100 new schools are to be built over the next five years to cope in order to cope with a “massive rise” in the number of children who will need school places.
04 December 2019
Our Voices Our Schools Online Scheme Launches
An online toolkit to help schools improve the voice of their students has launched. Our Voices Our Schools seeks to improve the participation of young people in decision-making in the school system by informing school management and teaching staff of their views, based on the Lundy Model of conceptualising a child's right to participation.
Our Voices Our Schools Online Scheme Launches
An online toolkit to help schools improve the voice of their students has launched. Our Voices Our Schools seeks to improve the participation of young people in decision-making in the school system by informing school management and teaching staff of their views, based on the Lundy Model of conceptualising a child's right to participation.
29 July 2009
North's Latest School Fire Probed
Vandals have again set fire to a school in north Belfast. The PSNI are investigating after the canteen at Stella Maris School on the Shore Road was attacked overnight. It was also found that paint had been thrown over the building when the blaze was discovered at 2am on Wednesday.
North's Latest School Fire Probed
Vandals have again set fire to a school in north Belfast. The PSNI are investigating after the canteen at Stella Maris School on the Shore Road was attacked overnight. It was also found that paint had been thrown over the building when the blaze was discovered at 2am on Wednesday.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
