Representatives from Educate Together, the national representative body for multi-denominational education in Ireland, attended a public meeting in Tullamore on Monday November 3rd. The meeting was called by a group of local parents who are interested in the development of an Educate Together school in the area. There was great enthusiasm and interest at the meeting, which resulted in the setting up of an action group of around 10 people. This group will hold its first meeting on Monday, November 10th, and will work towards the opening of a school in September 2004.
Educate Together is the fastest growing sector in Irish education and all schools are started due to demand from parents in local areas.
The schools are non fee-paying, operate under the same guidelines as all national schools and are fully funded and recognised by the Dept. of Education & Science. Educate Together schools are multi-denominational in nature, co-educational, child-centred and democratically run.
There are currently 31 such schools throughout the country, however there is a growing demand. Educate Together have submitted applications to open 6 schools in 2004.A group of parents in Mullingar are working towards the opening of a school in 2004, and have already successfully launched the pre-enrolment list for the school. We hope that the opening of Educate Together schools in both Mullingar and Tullamore will pave the way for other schools to open in the Midlands in years to come.
We look forward to working with the Tullamore community to ensure that parents in the area are provided with additional choice when it comes to choosing an education for their children. Furthermore, the increase in population in the Tullamore area and ongoing developments, indicate that there is both a need and demand for additional primary school facilities in the area.
Jane McCathy, Development Officer is available for interview 01 429 2500
