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Charter, Vision Statement, Mission Statement and Our Values and Commitments
Charter | Vision
| Mission | Values and Commitments
Educate
Together Charter
Recalling
Article 26.3 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights:
"Parents
have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall
be given to their children"
and
Article 42.4 of the Bunreacht
na hÉireann (Constitution
of Ireland):
"The
state shall provide for free primary education and shall endeavour
to supplement and give reasonable aid to private and corporate
educational initiative, and, when the public good requires it,
provide other educational facilities or institutions with due
regard, however, for the rights of parents, especially in the
matter of religious and moral formation",
1.1
That many parents have a valid preference for schools in which
boys and girls of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds
can be educated together in an atmosphere of mutual understanding
and respect,
1.2
That the multi-denominational schools established under the
banner of Educate Together are a distinctive response to the
growing demand for such an option within the Irish educational
system,
2.1
Children of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds have
a right to an education that respects their individual identity
whilst exploring the different values and traditions of the
world in which they live,
2.2
Parents are entitled to participate actively in decisions that
affect the education of their children. In particular, they
have the right to decide what kind of school reflects their
conscience and lawful preference,
2.3
Multi-denominational schools have the right to be treated no
less favourably than other schools within the Irish educational
system, in accordance with their needs and their identity,
2.4
The state has a duty to take the identity of the multi-denominational
sector fully into account when deciding on policy that affects
the establishment and development of schools,
3.1
Support the establishment of schools which are,
Multi-denominational
i.e. all children having equal rights of access to the school,
and children of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds
being equally respected,
Co-educational and committed to encouraging all children
to explore their full range of abilities and opportunities,
Child centred in their approach to education,
Democratically run with active participation by parents
in the daily life of the school, whilst positively affirming the
professional role of the teachers,
in any area where the demand for such a school exists,
3.2
Promote fuller awareness and recognition of the identity of
the multi-denominational sector at all levels in Irish society
and abroad,
3.3
Participate in appropriate structures and activities concerned
with the future development of education in Ireland and abroad,
3.4
Promote a future where multi-denominational education will be
as freely available to parents as any other educational option
they may choose.
Formally launched on 12th May 1990 at the Aula Maxima, University
College Galway, Ireland.
Amended on April 17th 1999 at the first Annual General Meeting
of Educate Together, Bray Co. Wicklow.
© Educate Together, 2004
The Vision, Mission, Values and Commitments of Educate Together were developed as part of the business planning process in the Summer of 2006. The full Business Plan is available at :
http://www.educatetogether.ie/pdf_downloads/Business%20Plan-%20final%20verison.pdf
Vision Statement
"We are working towards an Ireland in which all people have access to an excellent education that is inclusive of all, irrespective of belief system, race, ethnicity, class, culture, gender, language, lifestyle and ability."
Mission Statement
"Educate Together will be an agent for change in the Irish State Education system seeking to ensure that parents have the choice of an education based on the inclusive intercultural values of respect for difference and justice and equality for all.
In Educate Together schools, every child will learn in an inclusive, democratic, co-educational setting that is committed to enabling and supporting each child to achieve their full potential while at the same time preparing them to become caring and active members of a culturally diverse society."
Values and Commitments
Educate Together is committed to:
- Placing the child at the centre of the educational process
- Respecting and celebrating the different and unique identities of all.
- An educational philosophy that promotes the values of justice, equality and human rights for all children and challenges injustice and unfair discrimination.
- Providing children with the knowledge, skills, dispositions and attitudes that they need, enabling them to make informed moral decisions and preparing them to become caring members of society.
- Empowering children to take an active role in society and in the stewardship of the environment.
- Working in a democratic way that embraces the input from children, parents, teachers, and supporters to enable the highest level of partnership and participation
- Working together and with other educational partners in a consultative and collaborative way.
- Building school communities which engage with, and work meaningfully with the local community
- Ensuring that this type of education is provided by the State and available to all families who wish to access it.
These commitments are reflected in the following mottoes:-
“Learn Together to Live Together” – “No Child an Outsider”
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