Petition Tag - educate together

We are a group of parents who have come together to establish an Educate Together national school in the Tallaght/Citywest area of South-West Dublin, Ireland.

In the majority of state-funded schools in Ireland, the Patron is a religious leader or clergyman. As Patron, Educate Together guarantees equality of access and esteem to children irrespective of their social, cultural or religious backgrounds. The schools are also parent-initiated, usually being established by parents who want this unique ethos available in their locality. As a result, there is a high level of parental participation in the operation of the schools.

We wish to provide an option for our children to receive their primary education in such a school. In our area, we want to have a school that is multi-denominational,
co-educational, child centered and democratically run. A school that adequately reflects the growing multi-denominational nature of the Tallaght/Citywest area.

However, we were recently informed that the Department of Education and Science would not be recognizing a new school in the area in 2009. We feel this is unfair to the large number of parents who have indicated that the Educate Together ethos is their preferred option for their children. If you agree, please sign our petition.

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When the first Educate Together primary school opened in South Dublin thirty years ago, it was as result of a prolonged campaign by pioneering parents determined to claim their constitutional and human rights to choose a multi-denominational, democratic ethos for their children’s education.

Since these rights do not cease when children reach the age of twelve, pressure has been mounting on Educate Together to expand its successful model into the post-primary sphere ever since.

Until now, groups of parents who have mobilised around the country in an attempt to establish Educate Together second-level schools have been frustrated in their efforts. In a context of powerful institutional structures which are resistant to change, the task facing parents is daunting. Educate Together now feels compelled to move to support, at a national level, parents’ various campaigns to claim their right to choice.

However, there is much more to this move than supporting parents. Educate Together believes that reform of second-level education in Ireland is overdue. Irish society has been undergoing huge social, economic and demographic change in recent decades. Calls for a different approach to education; one which can better prepare young people for life in 21st century globalised Ireland; have come from bodies as diverse as the Combat Poverty Agency and Forfás. The need for an education system which promotes innovation and creativity, responsible citizenship, and social inclusion and cohesion has never been greater. Since these are the values that underpin Educate Together's unique ethos, the time is right for parents' voices to be heard.

Educate Together has applied to the Minister for Education and Science to be registered as a patron of second-level schools, based on its outstanding track record at primary level. We ask for your support in lobbying the Minister to confirm this registration as a matter of urgency so that we can proceed to work with families at local level to provide for the type of modern, holistic, equality-based, learner-centred education they want.

SCHOOL GATE ACTION DAY - THURS 25th SEPT - many thanks for your support. Please send your completed petitions to the National Office by October 31st.

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