Support grows for broader school patronage in Galway
Almost 40 per cent of parents in Galway would prefer to send their children to a multi-denominational primary school, according to a new Department of Education survey – in stark contrast to the current scenario where 95 per cent of primary schools nationally remain under denominational control.
The results of the landmark survey on school patronage have been welcomed by Education Together – as they pointed out that demand for multi-denominational education was not currently being met in Galway.
They pointed out that there are currently five Educate Together primary schools in County Galway, along with a small number of other multi-denominational schools – but this means that of the 217 primary schools in the county, only eight have a multi-denominational ethos.
And they say that parents in many parts of Galway city and county have no choice other than to send their children to a denominational primary school.
The survey – details of which were announced by announced by the Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton last week – found that 38.4 per cent of parents surveyed in Galway seek change to multi-denominational education
Nationally, 40% of parents in religious-run schools would prefer a multi-denominational primary school – contrasting with the reality whereby 95.1 per cent of primary schools nationally remain under denominational control.
Galway ETNS was founded in 1994 and has become widely known for its inclusive and welcoming school community.
These national results are very encouraging for the future of school choice in County Galway,
The Educate Together national office now hopes to work with more Galway-based families in the future, to expand access to equality-based education around the county.
“These national results are very encouraging for the future of school choice in County Galway,” said Edward Platt, Schools Development Officer for Educate Together.
“At Educate Together we regularly engage with families and local communities who are frustrated by the lack of multi-denominational / equality-based school places available to them.
“Now that the Department has provided statistically valid data to show that 38.4% of parents in Galway want their child to have access to a multi-denominational school, we need to see action taken to make this a reality,” he said.
Educate Together also claimed that the figures mirror its experience over many years – and they urged Government to announce school level data for Galway soon, and to provide adequate resourcing and investment to support the next steps of the process, so that choice can be provided in the county.
“The next step of the Department’s action plan is for schools to receive an individualised report on these results specific to their school community,” said Edward Platt.