168,000 households with young children across the country have taken part in a Department of Education questionnaire assessing the demand and preferences for different types of primary school provision. It means that just under one third (34%) of eligible families have responded so far.
The survey, which asks parents for their preference relating to patronage and ethos, co-education or single sex provision, and language of instruction (English or Irish) runs until December 16th. It is the largest survey of its kind yet to be undertaken in Ireland, with a total of 495,000 households eligible.
The survey asks the following questions:
Would you prefer your primary school to be a co-educational school or a single-sex school?
Would you prefer your primary school to operate under a denominational (religious) patron or to operate under a multi-denominational (non-religious) patron?
Would you prefer your primary school to provide education primarily through the English language or through the Irish language?
The previous Programme for Government committed to achieve a target of at least 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030, a move which it said would improve parental choice. Such a strategy includes building both new schools and transferring the patronage of some existing religious-run schools to make them multi-denominational.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD released a statement on Friday described as a “final call to parents” to have their say. The Minister has today encouraged parents and guardians with children in primary school, and those with younger children, to take part in the online survey of primary school communities.
The survey was launched on 4 November. Parents and guardians of children who are either in, or soon to start, primary school, including staff and Boards of Management, are being invited to have their say in the final days of the survey, the Department of Education said.
“Parents and guardians are the real experts when it comes to their children, and it is only right that their voices are placed at the core of how we provide education in Ireland,” Minister Naughton said.
“I would like to see a strong response rate for every primary school to ensure that we have heard the views of as many households and communities as possible.
“I and my department want to know what parents and school communities want for their school, and, as the closing date for this survey looms, I am encouraging parents, guardians and wider school communities to engage to ensure that their views form part of our future.”
She continued: “By assessing parental demand in every community, we can identify what the need is and work with schools to support them through that process. This survey is just the beginning of our engagement. Where there is clear support from parents and guardians for change to be considered, a further process of inclusive dialogue will follow.
“Where schools wish to explore options, my department will provide direct support, including the appointment of a facilitator to work with boards, staff and parents.
“Further engagement with stakeholders will assist in strengthening approaches already in place, ensuring clarity and consistency for schools and parents, ensuring that every child’s right to an inclusive and respectful education experience is upheld.”
All responses to the survey will remain confidential and anonymous. Where there is clear support from parents and guardians for change to be considered, “a further process of inclusive dialogue will begin,” the Department of Education said.
The online survey is available here: www.gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey.