#Education
Target:
Government, Dept. of Education & Science
Region:
Ireland
Website:
www.educatetogether.ie

98% of all primary schools in Ireland are privately-owned religious institutions and
are obliged to uphold the ethos of 1 of the major Churches.

The State is allowing large developments and new towns to be developed, but
plays little role in the planning or provision of educational infrastructure in these
areas.

Sole responsibility for the establishment of new national schools, is placed on
independent Patron Bodies.

Patron Bodies are not adequately funded by the State, and are therefore not
properly resourced to manage the delivery of educational infrastructure
nationally.

Educate Together estimates that a minimum of 200 Educate Together type
schools will be needed nationally, in order to provide all families with a choice of
primary education.

The State needs to engage with Patron Bodies on the development of a Service
Provider Model, based on clear funding mechanisms in return for clear
deliverables in terms of new quality national schools.

The Educate Together network asks that the State, through the Department of
Education & Science, takes responsibility for the planning and delivery of new
educational infrastructure which provide equality of access to all families
regardless of social, cultural or religious background.

The New Schools for 21st Century Ireland petition to Government, Dept. of Education & Science was written by Jane McCarthy and is in the category Education at GoPetition.