Sir, – Further to recent correspondence (June 15th), allow me to point out that that since the turn of this century, Educate Together has been the lead supplier of schools for new housing estates in Ireland. As a result, its schools tend to reflect the population in these areas. The 60 schools that it has established in that time serve some of the most diverse communities in the country, many of which have been plunged into economic crisis over the past few years. In fact, 29 per cent of all Educate Together schools qualify for the Government's Deis programme for schools in disadvantaged areas. This is the highest percentage of any school provider.
In addition, the majority of all new Educate Together schools operate integrated facilities for children with autism – again the highest of any Irish provider.
Finally, not only do Traveller children attend Educate Together schools, Traveller culture is taught in these schools, and Educate Together schools have been involved with the Irish Traveller Movement’s Yellow Flag inclusion and diversity award since its inception a number of years ago.
Indeed, I am on the steering group of the Yellow Flag Award and can bear witness to the wonderful work that is happening nationwide, in both Educate Together and non-Educate Together schools, to promote diversity and inclusion. – Yours, etc,
FIONNUALA WARD,
Primary Education Officer,
Educate Together,
Hogan Place,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – The fact of the matter is that Educate Together is a group of individuals who do not personally have the assets or resources to paint a school, never mind open or operate new schools. For years they have been campaigning for the separation of church and State. Now they have got what they have asked for. The State-resourced Education Training Boards, which do have the assets, resources and the experience to run and operate centres of education excellence throughout the country, have been asked by the Minister for Education to establish more multidenominational community national schools on behalf of the State.
Let the Education Training Boards get on with the great work they are doing, serving the needs of the whole community in their own quiet and professional way.
Educate Together should stop their efforts at private empire-building and stop whining. Their prayers have been answered. – Is mise,
GERALDINE O’ BRIEN,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.