Parents surveyed on religious and language preferences for primary school enrollment
The Department of Education has launched a significant survey aimed at gauging parents’ preferences for primary school enrollment. This initiative is a crucial step in enhancing parental choice in education within Ireland.
Survey Details and Objectives
Initiated on November 4, the survey will gather insights until December 16. Parents and guardians of current and prospective primary school students, alongside school staff, are invited to participate. This survey marks the largest of its kind, designed to collect current data on school preferences amid evolving educational environments.
Key Topics Covered
- Preference for coeducational versus single-sex schools.
- Desire for denominational (such as Catholic or Church of Ireland) versus multi-denominational school patronage.
- Interest in receiving education through Irish versus English.
Approximately 88% of primary schools in Ireland identify as Catholic, with only 5.5% classified as multidenominational and 6% as Church of Ireland schools. Notably, around 8% offer educational programs in Irish, while 92% provide instruction in English.
Government Initiatives and Funding
Education Minister Helen McEntee emphasized the importance of aligning the educational system with parental expectations. In response to expressed interests for alternative school provisions, the Department plans to support schools through various means. This includes appointing facilitators to assist boards, staff, and parents in implementing changes.
- One-off funding of up to €5,000 will be available for each participating school.
- Funding aims to address practical aspects of reconfiguration, including signage and stationery updates.
Community Response
The survey has received backing from Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), which oversees community national schools that are both coeducational and multidenominational. General Secretary Paddy Lavelle highlighted that this effort is vital for ensuring schools mirror the diverse society of contemporary Ireland.
Educate Together, representing 97 multidenominational primary schools, views the survey as a unique opportunity for parents to influence local school operations. They noted a trend of declining religious identification based on Census 2022 data, with only 69% of individuals identifying as Catholic, down from 79% in 2016.
Parental Perspectives and Future Planning
Catholic patrons have also shown enthusiasm for the survey. Marie Griffin, chair of the Catholic Education Partnership, stated that the choice of educational ethos is critical to realizing each child’s potential. She expressed optimism about collaborating with the Department following the survey’s completion.
The anticipation for the results remains high, scheduled for early 2026. Notably, all responses will remain confidential and anonymous, ensuring a candid reflection of parental preferences.
