Educate Together has welcomed the statement by Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills Mary Coughlan at last week’s Dáil debate on school patronage.
The Minister identified a number of progressive steps her Department has planned to take on the new school establishment and recognition of the wishes of parents.
Educate Together is now hopeful that this spells good news for parents in Kilkenny as they work towards establishing a new primary school in the area to meet the increasing demands for school places.
“We are very encouraged by the willingness the Tánaiste has shown to progress a number of important issues,” said Paul Rowe, Educate Together CEO. “Her prioritisation of the views of parents on school preference, and openness to holding surveys to establish those views is a real step forward, which we warmly welcome. We are particularly encouraged by the level of practical and personal engagement with issues that the Minister displayed at the Dáil session, and Educate Together looks forward to working with her and her officials to bring real change in Irish education.”
On the issue of school transformations the Minister also cited parental choice as a factor in the ongoing discussions with the Catholic Church. She also detailed the need for broader consultation with other potential patrons on this issue and expressed openness to practical proposals for transformations, partnerships, and joint campus use arrangements.
Educate Together was particularly pleased to hear support for its work from all sides of the house of the Oireachtas.
Educate Together is to now seek a meeting with the Minister to discuss a range of initiatives. The organisation is hopeful that the latest statement heralds a new openness in the Department of Education and Skills and that a genuine programme of reform will ensue.
