Educate Together has welcomed recent statements by the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan on the development of a new framework for the allocation of second-level patronage. In relation to Gorey’s new second-level school the Minister has also re-affirmed her commitment to including parental choice as a decision factor.
Educate Together CEO Paul Rowe stated ‘Gorey should be one of the first beneficiaries of the Tánaiste’s proposed open and transparent framework on school patronage. The local community has strongly endorsed Educate Together’s application for patronage of the new school with an astonishing 650 pre-enrolments received already. Such a strong vote of confidence in the merits of Educate Together’s proposal will have to factor heavily in the patronage decision to be made this October’.
The allocation of patronage has been an ongoing issue of discussion and debate in education circles for many years. It is hoped the new expert group convened by the Tánaiste will establish the new framework without delay and a robust transparent system will ensue.
Support for Educate Together in Gorey has grown steadily over many years. It established its first primary school there in 2005 following a strong campaign by local parents. The Gorey Educate Together Second Level group was established with a similar ambition to achieve patronage for Educate Together of the new school the town so badly needs.
