This week marks the "last chance" to bring "diversity to education for teenagers" in the city and Oranmore area, with the deadline looming for the Department of Education's online survey regarding Galway's new secondary school.
The online survey, to gauge the level of public support for each of the various bodies competing for patronage of the school - which will be located in either Galway city or Oranmore - closes on July 31. Pauline O'Reilly, Green Party candidate for Galway West and the party spokesperson on children and youth affairs, is calling on the public to support Educate Together's bid to be awarded that patronage.
"We have such a variety now when it comes to national schools in our county but unfortunately we are falling short when it comes to second level," said Ms O'Reilly. "We have five Educate Together national schools and a Steiner school, all of which are multi denominational and these children are then being put on to waiting lists predominantly for Catholic schools. All options should be on the table to cater for the families in the county with the largest non national population in the country."
The result of the online survey will have a major bearing on the Education Minister, Richard Bruton's, final decision. Voting is open to parents of pupils who have recently completed first through fifth class - anticipated second-level entry of 2019 to 2023 - who live in the Galway city and Oranmore areas. A direct link to the survey is available at GET2LS.org/VOTE
