Principals call for action on new enrolments

The Department of Education should co-ordinate enrolment applications by newcomer children in schools, amid concerns that some schools have larger numbers than others, school principals have been told.

Seán Cottrell of the primary principals group yesterday said affirmative action must be taken to address the unequal distribution of newcomer children among schools. There was anecdotal evidence, he said, of how some schools were deflecting applications for enrolment to other schools in their area with a more open enrolment policy.

"This is an issue which applies equally to children from disadvantaged homes, Traveller children and children with special educational needs," he said.

He said two initiatives were needed: the department should engage its regional offices to co- ordinate enrolment applications from newcomer children and it should begin a full audit of all school enrolment from the new "Irish" community.

Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin has been very critical of schools which cherry-pick students based on academic ability or social class. This practice is unlawful under the Education Act but some schools use interviews and other procedures to circumvent it.

Mr Cottrell was speaking at the annual conference of the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN), attended by more than 700 principals. Speakers at the conference include economist David McWilliams, public relations pundit Terry Prone and Fergus Finlay, chief executive of Barnardo's.

Mr Cottrell signalled that parents should no longer co-operate with voluntary fundraising which is shoring up underfunding of schools.

In response, Ms Hanafin said she was surprised at the comments given the significant increase in funding this year for school running costs.

She also revealed how only six of 20 new posts to boost Irish language teaching in schools have been filled because of an apparent lack of interest among teachers.

The new posts were created last year to help schools where Irish language teaching was presenting difficulties. Under the scheme, some of the best Irish teachers would travel to different schools outlining best practice in language teaching.

The Minister said the poor response could be traced to a lack of confidence among some teachers.

While they were happy to teach their own class, some were uncomfortable with the idea of coaching other teachers.