Plan to review primary schools confirmed

The Deparment of Education confirmed today that it will review the process for recognising new primary schools.

A statement issued by the Department of Education said a working group will be established under the Commission on School Accommodation.

The Irish Times reported last Thursday that the Government was preparing to review the traditional system in which primary schools gain recognition.

The working group announced today will undertake "a full review" of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools.

"I want to ensure that the policies and procedures for establishing new schools are brought fully up to date and that they will be appropriate for the significant increase in the number of primary school pupils which we expect over the next five to 10 years," Minister for Education and Science Batt O'Keeffe said in a statement.

It is expected that new arrangements will take up to two years before they are in place. The Department said that for the interim period, it is not planning to recognise any new primary schools barring those in developing areas "where there is a clear need demonstrated for such schools."

In last week's Irish Times report, Minister O'Keeffe said the automatic right to demand recognition would need to be examined.

He said that he was "astounded to find that you can seek recognition of a primary school with 17 children and you can look for full recognition after three years if you have 53 pupils enrolled".

However, in response to Mr O'Keeffe's comments, Bláthnaid Ní Ghréacháin, Chief Executive of Gaelscoileanna Teoranta was critical of the proposal.

"The comments attributed to the Minister fly in the face of parents constitutional right to education for their children, and of the state's obligation to protect and nurture the Irish language," she said.

"Gaelscoileanna and other patron based schools can seek initial recognition with 17 children and full recognition after three years so long as you have 51 pupils. This recognises how schools grow as a part of their community."

Ms Ní Ghréacháin said "the numbers are pitched at a level of sustainability and we would point out to the Minister that not a single Gaelscoil has ever closed due to falling numbers"

"Education at its best is borne of the community and supported through the willingness of parents to play a part in management, philosophy and, regrettably, funding," she concluded.