There is still a need for small schools in rural communities, says minister
April 3, 2013
EDUCATION Minister Ruairi Quinn has ruled out closing 1,000 small schools.
Mr Quinn insisted that one, two and three-teacher schools will continue to form a vital part of Ireland’s primary education infrastructure, despite a new report that says a minimum of four teachers and 80 students is the future optimum level.
His comments came as he received an angry ‘red card’ protest at the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) annual conference in Cork.
More than 600 of the 800 delegates held special red cards aloft as Mr Quinn delivered his speech to signal their anger at swingeing cutbacks to teacher pay and conditions.
Mr Quinn, who yesterday celebrated his 67th birthday, had to pause three times during his address amid loud jeers and catcalls from the floor. One of the loudest roars followed his reference to teachers as “comrades in education”.
Teachers chanted “stop the cuts” and “shame” before president Anne Fay appealed for quiet to allow him to conclude his address. Mr Quinn insisted there was no closure threat to small and rural Irish primary schools.
INTO has repeatedly demanded the full publication of the Value For Money (VFM) report which was commissioned in 2011. The union also warned that it would not tolerate any threat of closure or forced amalgamation to small rural schools. Mr Quinn said no such threat exists.
“The (report) does contain a recommendation that we establish a national policy that recognised a four-teacher school as the optimum minimum size.
“This would ensure that multi-grade teaching would typically be limited to two grades at most, making teaching and learning more manageable for all. This does not mean that we will be forcibly closing down every one, two and threeteacher school,” Mr Quinn said.
“There is and will continue to be a need for small schools to exist in rural and isolated communities. Rather, this national policy will mean that, over time, any reconfiguration of schools would be guided by that optimum minimum size,” he added.
The Government is now only building new premises for eight teacher schools.
INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan warned that direct funding to Irish primary schools has been axed by 12pc since 2009. She also rejected the Government’s €11 per child school book subsidy as “a joke”.
“Teachers are looking at a system that is crashing about them, devastated by the wrecking ball of austerity,” she added.
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Radical change to school enrolment
April 3, 2013
School waiting lists will be curtailed and application fees abolished under a draft Bill to be brought to Government by the Minist er f or Education and Skills.
Practices such as offering preference to children of past pupil s and first-come- first-serve enrolment policies may be banned under the proposals announced by Ruairí Quinn yesterday.
Under the new pr oposal s schools would no longer be permitted to charge parents for application to schools. Non-refundable fees of up to ¤100 are currently charged by s o me post-primary schools, primarily in the fee-paying sector.
Speaking at the annual ASTI conference in Wexford yesterday the Minister described as “insidious” the requirement for children and their parents to attend compulsory open days or be interviewed by schools, and said that these practices will be curtailed.
Enrolling students on a first-come-first-serve basis will al s o be reviewed. While t he practice might appear reasonable, he said, it can mean “that children who move to an area from other parts of the country or from other countries, can be effectively excluded from schools that have more applicants than places”.
In the 20 per cent of schools where demand exceeds supply there was a need for clarity on enrolment, he said.The draft heads of the Education (Admission to School) Bill 2013 will go to Government shortly.
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Delegates wary of minister’s vow on closures
April 3, 2013
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn failed to convince teachers there will not be further pay cuts or small rural school closures.
He told the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation annual congress in Cork that a report he intends to bring to Cabinet says that a four-teacher school is the optimum, minimum size for smaller schools.
But while the value-for-money review by his department says it would make teaching and learning more manageable, as no teacher would have more than two class groups, Mr Quinn insisted the report does not mean there will be forced closures of schools with one, two, or three teachers.
“There is, and will continue to be, a need for small schools to exist in rural and isolated communities,” Mr Quinn told delegates. “Rather [than forced closures], this national policy would mean that over time any reconfiguration of schools would be guided by that optimum minimum size.”
Mr Quinn later told reporters that the value-for-money review, commissioned by the previous government, takes account of the additional costs amalgamations would add to budgets for school building and transport. However, his words offered no reassurance to delegates who spoke on a motion seeking an improved campaign to protect small schools.
The policy is seen as a way to force them to decide on amalgamations, instead of having it decided by the minister or his department.
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Survey shows ‘demand for diversity’
April 3, 2013
Educate Together named as preferred choice by majority of parents in study
The results of the recent Department of Education patronage survey were “significant” and “clearly show a demand for diversity”, the chief executive of the multidenominational Educate Together primary school organisation said yesterday.
Twenty-three of the 38 areas of the country surveyed had demonstrated demand for an immediate change in the existing school patronage, the department said in a statement this week. The majority of parents who took part in the survey named Educate Together as their preferred patron.
Educate Together chief exeecutive Paul Rowe said the organisation was “delighted that so many parents across the country want an Educate Together school in their community.
The Forum for Patronage and Pluralism has given parents in these communities the opportunity to express preference for the schools they want. We are honoured that so many communities have put their trust in Educate Together and our educational ethos.” He said the survey results were significant as they clearly showed demand for diversity of school-type existed across the country.
“Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn is to be commended for the forum initiative. It has given parents a real opportunity to choose the type of schools they want for their children’s education.”
The association representing vocational colleges has expressed concern about restrictions placed on patrons to promote their model to parents. The Irish Vocational Education Assocation gave a “qualified welcome” to the survey which found demand for its community national school model in two areas, Carrigaline in Co Cork and Celbridge Co Kildare. The restrictions meant potential patrons could spend €300 promoting themselves to parents in each survey area.
As the VEC’s community national school model was the “newest” available to parents, they needed to “be allowed to promote and advertise their merits, and parents need to be made aware” of it as a choice, association general secretary Michael Moriarty said. The VEC currently operates eight community national schools in the State.
Irish language patron An Foras Pátrúnachta was “delighted” to have been pre-ferred by parents in Birr, Co Offaly where there had been “strong demand” for a Gaelscoil for “quite a while”, general secretary Caoimhín ÓhEaghra said.
However the organisation raised concern about the use of a survey system to cater for a linguistic minority. An Foras Pátrúnachta is patron of 59 primary schools with two more opening next year.
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Comórtas: Láithreoir Óg á lorg ag RnaG
April 3, 2013
Ruairi Quinn plans to make school enrolment fairer
April 3, 2013
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn is to publish draft legislation in the coming months aimed at making school enrolment policies fairer. The legislation is aimed at making policies more just, especially for newcomers to an area, and other groups, such as children from the travelling community. It has been almost two years since the Department of Education published a discussion document on school enrolment policies. It outlined proposals to make the school entry system fairer to all, proposals including the outlawing of the practice of giving priority to the children of past pupils or staff. Practices such as this disadvantage newcomers and others, including children from the travelling community. Yesterday evening the minister said he would be bringing draft legislation to Cabinet shortly. Parents would no longer have to pay simply to apply for a school place. It would also outlaw schools interviewing parents and children prior to acceptance. Mr Quinn said the draft legislation would be published in coming months for consultation. Later today Mr Quinn will address the Teachers’ Union of Ireland’s annual congress in Galway. Yesterday, he was heckled during his speeches at the conferences of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.
rte.ie
Accommodation Scholarships in Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin for the 2013-14 school year
April 3, 2013
The Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs funds up to ten accommodation scholarships each year to give second level students living on the mainland outside of a Gaeltacht area the opportunity to attend Colaiste Naomh Eoin on Inis Meain initially for one academic year.
This funding forms part of the (Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge) Irish language learners scheme. The aim of this scheme is to give teenagers not living in a Gaeltacht area the opportunity to attain fluency in Irish. The students reside with local families on Inis Meáin for the academic year. The Irish language is the mother tongue in these local family friendly accommodations and students get an insight into the Irish language as an active common spoken native tongue in the locality. They reside with the family for the year, returning home every second weekend and for annual holidays.
Students who register with Coláiste Naomh Eoin, become part of an educational setting where a wide range of subjects are offered and taught through the medium of Irish. In addition to the acquisition of the Irish language, there are excellent educational opportunities to be enjoyed. Coláiste Naomh Eoin is a small school, with a very high teacher-pupil ratio, which ensures that every student reaches their educational potential. The teaching staff is composed of vibrant, dynamic and highly-qualified members. There is a good rapport and mutual respect between teachers and students, which guarantees an atmosphere conducive to learning. The teachers supervise evening study periods in order for students to complete home work and study in a comfortable, quiet setting. Students are under the care of the school during normal school hours and during any school events or trips which fall outside of the normal timetable.
The Mná Tí, who assume the “Loco Parentis” role, cater for the wellbeing of the student or students residing with them outside of normal school hours. Every member of the host family, aged 18 years or above, has been Gárda vetted to ensure appropriate standards of the health and safety of students are maintained.
The students’ parents are solely responsible for the students during travel time to and from the island.
Inis Meáin is a quiet and beautiful island, a place in which inspiration and relaxation go hand in hand, preserved by time and tradition. It is a place where learning is encouraged naturally due to the unique remoteness and freedom from mainland living. Boarding packages are available to suitable candidates at a cost of €5,500 per annum. This exceptional fee covers all educational and accommodation costs (including meals). The fee can be paid in two instalments, one at the start of the school year and the second in January. Annual enrolement is capped in order to ensure that our unique learning environment is not compromised, namely the low number of students and hence the individual attention given to each and every student in Coláiste Naomh Eoin.
For this reason, we strongly advise applying for enrolement well in advance of the student’s expected commencement date.
You’ll find more information on www.colaistenaomheoin.ie and you can call Mairéad Ní Fhátharta on 0877775567 to apply for a place.
Report on school patronage published – New Gaelscoil for Birr, Co. Offaly
April 3, 2013
An Foras Pátrúnachta is delighted that the Department of Education’s survey of parents has recognised the huge demand for education through Irish in Birr, County Offaly.
The Department’s report recommended that 23 multidenominational schools are founded, including a Gaelscoil in Birr. The survey also recognised that there is a demand for education through Irish in areas such as Malahide, Skerries and Portmarnock in Dublin.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra, General Secretary of An Foras Pátrúnachta, said that parents in Birr have been campaigning for years for a Gaelscoil in the area and are delighted that they have succeeded. An Foras Pátrúnachta is looking forward to working with the Catholic Church in this process.
The other results show that there is a strong demand for education through Irish around the county. It is also clear that there is a demand for the model which is provided by An Foras Pátrúnachta. According to the Department’s report, between 4% and 31% of those surveyed in the different areas wanted education through Irish. This is in keeping with the demand for education through Irish which An Foras Pátrúnachta has expressed to the Department of Education since the start of the process. These parents and children have rights and there is a responsibility to provide them with education through Irish.
The Department of Education has attempted to ensure fairness in the survey but it felt that this is not the best model to cater for parents who are not part of the majority. What about those parents who chose education through Irish in those areas?
An Foras Pátrúnachta expressed these concerns to the Department of Education before the survey was conducted on five pilot areas and again when the results form these areas were published. As the only all-Irish school patron, An Foras Pátrúnachta will be expressing its concerns again that children, parents and areas will be neglected unless the process ensures that their wishes are recognised.
The question of the Irish language and all-Irish schools needs to be examined. It is clear that when pupils and parents receive education through Irish that they recognise the advantages and are delighted with the model. It is clear also that when An Foras Pátrúnachta inform parents about this model, they choose it for their children,.
Caoimhín Ó hEaghra said that An Foras Pátrúnachta, the only patron which was set up to promote education through Irish, is working hard to support its schools agus to set up new schools. An Foras Pátrúnachta is fulfilling a very important role with support from its schools, parents and from the Irish language community in general. We are grateful for this and are looking forward to further developing what has been achieved to date.
Catholic patrons welcome schools report
April 2, 2013
There is a “measurable small demand” for change in school patronage in certain areas and parents should have a choice, chairman of the Council for Education of the Irish Bishops’ Conference has said.
Catholic patrons have welcomed the primary school patronage report which showed demand for change from parents in 23 areas. However, attention must be given to the “large majority” of parents who expressed no interest in change, the council chairman Fr Michael Drumm said. He was speaking as a survey on parental preferences for primary school patronage was published today by the Department of Education.
Catholic bishops in 23 areas across the State have six months to provide detailed proposals on how they plan on divesting primary schools of their patronage. Of 23 areas, between 2.2 per cent and 8 per cent of parents with children in school favoured change, the council said. The areas “vary quite a bit”, Fr Drumm said. The report raised the issue of “displacement” of trying to cater for the views of a minority who want change, Fr Drumm said. The problem on the ground was that numbers displaced could be greater than numbers catered for, he said. In Celbridge, Co Kildare, some 100 parents desired a different type of school but the smallest Catholic school was 300 children, he said. It was about getting the “balance right” , he added. Demand for choice was “lower than anticipated” Fr Drumm said. The survey showed a “very strong affirmation” of Catholic schools with no real interest in change from 15 of 38 areas, he said.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn said this morning he expected Catholic bishops to cooperate in identifying suitable primary schools for the transfer of patronage. The Department of Education will send surveys to the patrons seeking an initial response after three months and a final response in six months, he said. “I would hope and expect during that period a suitable school will be identified by them within the various towns and arrangements will be made for the orderly transfer of the patronage of that school back to the Department of Education,” Mr Quinn said on RTÉ Radio. Mr Quinn said he expected cooperation from the Catholic Church because patronage had been identified as an issue by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin. It was about “parental choice” not a “general election”, Mr Quinn said.
Out of 38 survey areas selected according to specific demographic criteria, 23 have demonstrated demand for “an immediate change in the existing school patronage”, according to a Department of Education statement. The majority of parents who took part in the survey named Educate Together as their preferred patron. Educate Together was “delighted” and “honoured” that many communities had selected them as a preferred patron,chief executive Paul Rowe said in a statement. The results were “significant” and showed “demand for diversity”, he said. He praised the “goodwill” shown by the Catholic bishops to the process.
Co Cork VEC was “delighted” to be the preferred patron chosen by parents in Carrigaline, chief executive Joan Russell said. If Co Cork VEC becomes patron of a Carrigaline school it would be its second primary patronage. It is due to open its first primary school in Mallow next year. “I am aware this is only the first step… and am respectful of existing patrons,” Ms Russell said. The community national school model was “not well known” in Cork so the growth would allow parents to become familiar with it, she said.
Among the 23 schools identified in the report were Dublin 6, Malahide, Palmerstown, Portmarnock, Rush, Tuam, Westport, Ballina, Clonmel, Passage West, Dungarvan, Fermoy, Kells, Killarney, Leixlip, Loughrea, Cobh, Nenagh, New Ross, Shannon, Celbridge and Carrigaline.
One area, Birr in Co Offaly, showed sufficient demand for a Gaelscoil. Several others specified VEC patronage as their preferred option.
There was insufficient demand in areas such as Wicklow, Skerries, Carrick-on-Suir and Roscommon, among others.
The level of demand required to support change was set at the minimum enrolment required for a four-teacher school, somewhere between 80 and 100 pupils. A total of 10,715 valid survey responses were received.
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Poll: 60% of towns want new patrons
April 2, 2013
Parents in just 60% of towns dominated by Catholic primary schools have voted to have control handed over to different patrons.
Educate Together has emerged as the preferred patron to take over one of the local schools in 20 of the 23 areas where there was enough demand for choice.
But the most surprising outcome of the surveys — completed in January by parents of almost 20,000 primary school pupils and pre-school children — was that the vast majority in 15 out of 38 areas were satisfied with the current provision.
The research was carried out by the Department of Education in areas where there is little or no alternative to Catholic schools, but where populations are not growing enough for new schools to be built.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has said up to half of all Catholic primary schools may need to be divested, but the level of demand shows this is not the case. He wants bishops in each of the 23 areas where change is recommended to provide details within six months on how they plan to make schools available to patrons.
For recommended new patrons by town, see http://exa.mn/hn
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