Louth parents urged to have their say on the future of primary education

The release of a nationwide survey to all parents of children aged 0-12 by the Department of Education and Youth has been welcomed by Louth and Meath Education & Training Board (LMETB). 

The survey, aims to assess the appetite amongst parents for multi-denominational,  co-educational and Irish-medium education. There is a link to the survey at the bottom of this article

Education and Training Boards, the patrons of Community National Schools and Community Colleges across the country, which are state-funded, co-educational, multi denominational primary and post-primary schools, and the largest provider of education  through the medium of Irish, are calling on all parents of children within this cohort, as  well as school staff and boards of management to participate in the survey and have their  say. 

Commenting today, Martin G. O’ Brien Chief Executive of LMETB said: “This is an  important opportunity to inform the future educational landscape across Ireland.

Read also: Christmas Craft and Cake Sale in Kilkerley this weekend

"It’s a chance to ensure our schools, in the future, reflect the diverse society we now live in. We  would encourage parents, school staff, and boards of management to take time to  complete the survey, and to access the resources and information provided by the Department.”  

“While people are naturally cautious about change”, he continued, “it’s important to note,  that when a school changes to become, for example, a Community National School under  the patronage of their local ETB, lots of the great things that are already in place remain  the same.

"The curriculum, the staff, and extra-curricular activities all remain as they were.  The main thing that changes is that the ethos in a Community National School includes all  children and their families equally throughout the school day, rather than prioritising any one faith.”  

LMETB manages four Community National Schools, one Community Special School, a Centre  for European Schooling, eighteen post primary schools including one school with Post Leaving Certificate provision and two dedicated Post Leaving Certificate colleges. LMETB is also joint  patron of six Community Schools located in Ardee, Ashbourne, Athboy, Drogheda, Kells and  Trim. Further details on LMETB is available on www.lmetb.ie 

Figures gathered by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the national representative body of Ireland’s 16 ETBs, including LMETB, show that, currently, only  156 of the 3089 primary schools nationally are multi-denominational (i.e. 5% of all  schools).

The vast majority – 95% - fall under the patronage of religious bodies, primarily the Catholic Church. Data from the most recent Census illustrates a mismatch between the religious beliefs of people in Ireland, and the educational options currently on offer. 

In the 2022 Census, 31% of people in Ireland said they do not identify as Catholic, with  over 14% identifying as non-religious and significant increases in other religious beliefs. 

Commenting on the data, Fiona Kindlon, Director of Schools with LMETB, said: “The  Census data demonstrates a clear need for more diverse primary school options for  families in our region. A considerable proportion of our population is not adequately  served by the current primary education system, where most schools are run by the  Catholic Church and promote a Catholic ethos.

"In the research carried out, ETBI assessed the appetite for multi-denominational schools nationwide. Their findings show 61% of people nationally would prefer to have a multi denominational body providing education rather than a religious body.

"It’s worth noting  that even amongst people who identify as Catholic, there is a preference for multi denominational education. These findings leave little doubt that the current situation must change.” 

Further information about the Schools Survey 2030 currently being run by the  Department of Education is available here.