Review of primary schools confirmed

THE DEPARTMENT of Education has confirmed that it will review the process for recognising new primary schools.

A statement issued by the Department of Education said a working group will be established under the Commission on School Accommodation.

The Irish Timesreported last Thursday that the Government was preparing to review the traditional system in which primary schools gain recognition.

The working group announced yesterday will undertake "a full review" of the criteria and procedures for the recognition of new primary schools.

"I want to ensure that the policies and procedures for establishing new schools are brought fully up to date and that they will be appropriate for the significant increase in the number of primary school pupils which we expect over the next five to 10 years," Minister for Education and Science Batt O'Keeffe said in a statement.

It is expected that new arrangements will take up to two years before they are in place.

The Department of Education said that for the interim period, it was not planning to recognise any new primary schools barring those in developing areas "where there is a clear need demonstrated for such schools".

Last week, Mr O'Keeffe told The Irish Timesthe automatic right to demand recognition would need to be examined.

He said that he was "astounded to find that you can seek recognition of a primary school with 17 children and you can look for full recognition after three years if you have 53 pupils enrolled".