Gaelscoil enrolment policies discussed in Leinster House
December 16, 2013
Oireachtas Joint Committee recognises exceptional enrolment requirements of all-Irish schools
A meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection regarding the Draft General Scheme of an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, 2013 took place this week.
Representing the Irish-medium education sector were Gaelscoileanna Teo., An Foras Pátrúnachta, Cearta Oideachais and Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, as well as Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Atheist Ireland, Presentation College Cork, and Inclusion Ireland which represents Down Syndrome Ireland, Irish Autism Action and The Special Needs Parents Association.
During the discussion, groups were given the chance to make recommendations regarding the proposals within the draft Bill and Irish language groups called for the protection of Gaelscoileanna language ethos under all circumstances and also that children from Irish-speaking households be prioritised. As the draft Bill currently stands, all-Irish schools will be permitted to give preference to children from Irish-speaking households as well as allow Gaelcholáistí to give preference to gaelscoileanna as feeder schools.
All organisations expressed concern regarding the lack of recognition given to early immersion learning within the draft-Bill, as this would prohibit gaelscoileanna from giving preference to children who attended Naíonraí or Irish language pre-schooling, an important aspect in the current enrolment process. It was recommended that Language practices and customs within the Irish-medium education sector must be protected by allowing primary and secondary schools to give priority to children from the Irish-medium education system including Naíonraí and Irish language pre-schools.
The committee was told that 22% of all-Irish primary schools and 29% of all-Irish secondary schools have no option but to refuse students due to excess demand. Where there is over- demand, some schools opt to undertake an interview process in order to assess the language ability and habits of a family during the enrolment process. This occurs only in exceptional circumstances and an interview is nothing more than an informal conversation or a game. As it stands, the draft Bill proposes the removal of any interview process with parents or children before enrolment, except in the case of boarding schools.
The importance of the interview process is paramount, according to the Irish organisations, as until the system can accommodate all children, all-Irish schools must be permitted to consider a child’s language background during the enrolment process. as it is the only way to ensure priority is given to Irish-speaking households. It was recommended that the exceptional case of all-Irish schools be taken into consideration, as in the case of boarding schools, and the decision be left at the discretion of schools’ boards of management.
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