Bias denied by Galway school that excluded traveller children

MANAGEMENT at a Co Galway national school has rejected any suggestion that a decision to exclude children from a traveller family from attending the school amounted to discrimination.

Four traveller boys had only completed one day at Killimor National School this term when they were told they could no longer attend because of a new rule introduced by the board of management, which restricts the catchment area for the school to the immediate parish. The school is the nearest to the family.

Their mother, Mrs Eileen Ward, who lives in a traveller encampment at Capmara between Portumna and Killimor, said yesterday she had clothed her four sons in uniforms before she was told the new rule excludes pupils living outside the parish.

The Wards live in a caravan three miles from the school outside the parish boundary, but the three oldest - John (12), Mike (10) and Patrick (8) - had previously attended Killimor National School. This year their brother Dermot (5), started school but only attended for one day.

Since then, the Ward boys have been at home. Mrs Ward remains unconvinced about the reason why her sons cannot attend the school.

It is understood that the increase in the number of traveller children attending the school has been a cause for concern to the local settled community. A decision was taken by parents during the summer to restrict pupils to those living within the parish.

It is believed not all parents voted to introduce the new enrolment rule, and they had no objection to traveller children attending the school. Some parents

have declined to comment.

Travellers living in a county council housing scheme across from the school continue to attend. It is understood some parents believe the school caters for its fair share of travellers. It is believed the objections concern travellers living in caravans near Portumna dump, which includes the Wards.

Mrs Ward, however, claimed she was unaware of the rule change. There are 12 settled travellers currently in the school and one of the teachers works specifically with travellers.

The Wards believe the new rule was introduced to keep them out of the school. "My boys were getting on great. They actually liked going there. They have friends there and little Dermot was so excited starting this year. I had all the uniforms got. Dermot got a new one and a new schoolbag", Mrs Ward said.

"We got a shock," she added.

"We didn't expect that news."

Portumna school, where it had been suggested they attend, was even further away and she "would not send them there anyway".

Since the beginning of term, the Wards have been visited by a local garda (a routine visit, Mrs Ward said), a social worker and the Department representative. They had made an official complaint against the school to the Department, she said.

Mrs Adeline Finneran, the school principal, refused to comment, saying it was a board of management decision. Father Ciaran Kitching, who chairs the board, confirmed that a new enrolment policy had been introduced following a request from parishioners.

Father Kitching added that the decision was "not directed personally at the Ward family".