Bishop urges parents to take part in school choice survey

The Bishop of Meath, Most Rev Tom Deenihan, has urged parents and prospective parents to take part in the Dept of Education survey on primary school choice, saying that it is vital all voices are heard in shaping the future of education in Ireland.

The ‘Primary School Survey’ invites parents to indicate what type of school ethos they would like for their children, including Catholic, multi-denominational, or other patronage models. Bishop Deenihan, who chairs the Bishops Council for Education, said Catholic patrons are encouraging everyone eligible to respond.

“The Catholic patrons are clear that we want you to participate in this particular survey. It’s important that all voices are heard,” he said.

The Bishop said that the results of the survey would inform the future provision of schools across the state and that it was essential that the views of Catholic parents were represented.

“There are those who wish to have a school of a different patronage, there are those who wish to have a Catholic school for their child,” he said. “It’s important that all voices are heard so that proper provision can be provided. I’m committed to Catholic education, I’m committed to a sacramental education and I’m committed to teaching children about Jesus in the school.”

Bishop Deenihan said that while the Catholic model “does not necessarily suit everybody”, it remained important that parents who value faith-based education take part in the consultation.

“We respect that,” he said, “but please vote and make sure that your considerations, your views are part of the discussion – otherwise planning for the future is difficult.”

Minister Troy

Fianna Fáil Minister of State Robert Troy, TD, said: Our education system must reflect what our parents want for their children. Fianna Fáil believe that parents play the most important role in shaping the values and experiences that guide their children through education. Their views must be at the centre of any future changes to our school system.

“Parents know what is best for their children. They should have a meaningful say in the ethos of their schools, the environment in which their children learn and the language in which they are taught. This survey provides a valuable opportunity for parents to have their voices heard.”

He said the results will help shape how education is delivered at primary level and guide schools in meeting the needs and expectations of their communities. “This is an important opportunity for parents to influence the future of our education system and ensure it reflects the values and priorities of families across Ireland.”

LWETB

Siobhán Lynch, chief executive of LWETB, said the survey represents an opportunity to shape the future of education in Ireland, ensuring schools reflect the diversity of today’s society.

“We encourage parents, school staff, and boards of management to share their views and make use of the information and resources provided by the department.

“While change can feel daunting, it’s important to recognise that when a school transitions to a community national school under the patronage of an ETB, much of what families value remains the same – the curriculum, staff, and extra-curricular activities continue as before.

“What evolves is the school ethos, which becomes fully inclusive, welcoming children and families of all backgrounds equally throughout the school day. Instead of focusing solely on Catholic religious instruction, students explore a range of religious and non-religious world views, including the beliefs of their classmates. Catholic families still have the option for children to prepare for First Holy Communion or Confirmation, with sacramental preparation taking place outside of regular school hours.”

LWETB currently has one Community National School, Cornamaddy CNS in Athlone. The board would welcome opportunities for the reconfiguration of existing schools to the CNS model in response to demand for diversity in school provision, Ms Lynch added in her statement. At post-primary level, LWETB has a strong footprint with eight second-level schools across Longford and Westmeath, offering high-quality, inclusive education to students throughout the region.

Survey

Further information about the Schools Survey 2030 is available at gov.ie/en/department-of-education/campaigns/primary-school-survey.