Another World Body Supports Case for a National Network of Educate Together Model Schools in Ireland

Yesterday, the European Commission on Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) - an official body of the Council of Europe urged 

"the Irish authorities to promote the establishment of multi-denominational or non-denominational schools and adopt the necessary legislation to that end."

This recommendation echoes recommendations to the Irish State from two United Nations Committees (2005 and 2006), and an Advisory Committee to the Council of Europe earlier this year.

Educate Together has brought this issue to the UN and Council of Europe over the past three years. We now call on the government to implement these recommendations and work with us to establish a national network of schools in Ireland.

In 2006, Educate Together was compelled to drastically cut back opening new schools as a result of the lack of State funding and change in the new schools process. No grants were available to fund the opening of new schools and no credible mechanism to provide buildings for new schools existed. The depth of this problem is shown by the fact that of the 23 new schools opened by Educate Together since 2000, 80% of which are in areas of rapid housing growth, only one of these schools  occupies a permanent building and today, 63% of Educate Together schools have no permanent accommodation.

What is urgently needed is:

A positive commitment from the State to take responsibility to build a national network of schools that operate on the same principles as Educate Together schools.

A system of grants to enable new schools to be opened in an efficient and responsible manner. These grants should cover the first 5 years of the schools activity.

A properly planned mechanism to ensure permanent buildings for all new schools.



For more information see:
http://www.educatetogether.ie/2_campaigns/humanrightsandirished.html