Schools and other educational establishments are responsible for the second highest number of cases lodged with the Equality Authority (EA), its chief executive has said.
Speaking at a Limerick conference entitled "The inclusive school," on Saturday, Mr Niall Crowley said there had been a growth in the number of cases relating to educational establishments under the Equal Status Act. Only licensed premises provided more cases to his organisation, he said.
While the conference, which was jointly hosted by the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) and the EA, offered the opportunity for continued collaboration with the INTO, it was important to acknowledge the scale of the challenges posed in relation to building the inclusive school, he said. "School level action has a key contribution to make in shaping the inclusive school. The inclusive school, by definition requires an inclusive focus across staff, parents and the local community."
There was a clear rationale behind building such a school, he said, which was partly rooted in equality legislation, education legislation and a teaching profession which has a culture of commitment to all pupils.
This could be further based on the reality that inclusion and inclusive school benefits society, school, pupils and teachers alike.
However, significant challenges still remained, including the need to address a culture of disrespect for difference in schools; issues of early school leaving and low educational attainment; and the question of power relations in schools.
Also speaking at the conference, Ms Catherine Byrne, deputy general secretary of the INTO, said she made "no apologies" for demanding increased resources. Many right-wing economists and commentators argue for change but refuse to resource or actively support it, she said.
"Primary schools alone cannot create equality," she said. "We can and are willing to play our part. We cannot do it alone. The days of designing a programme for every problem in society and mailing it to schools are gone."
Meanwhile, the annual convention of the Association of Comprehensive and Community Schools (ACCS) in Killarney, Co Kerry, heard calls for the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, to address the continuing erosion the school year.
According to ACCS president, Mr Tomás Ó Séaghdha, in-service teacher training, orals and other practical assessments at state exams, and third level open days have led to a significant loss of class tuition time.