A number of Traveller families supported yesterday's withdrawal of children from two primary schools in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, in protest at the way Travellers had been integrated into the education system, picketers outside the schools claimed.
Six representatives from the settled Traveller community at tended a Parents' Council meeting on Monday, according to a council member, Mr James Feane, and supported the action. They were unavailable for comment yesterday.
Travellers who spoke to The Irish Times were unconcerned about the protest, although one, Mr Patrick Flynn, said two of his children currently attending school were not doing as well as the previous seven who were educated under the old system.
In 1999 the Department of Education introduced an integration policy in schools, ending special classes and resulting in what parents in Rathkeale say is a system which ignores academic ability.
Children were placed in "age appropriate" classes irrespective of their previous school experience or educational attainment, the Parents' Council chairman, Mr Steve Goode, said.
Mr Feane said the transient Traveller population was placing stress on the education system. "The Department needs to recognise that they are transient and provide an adequate education for them when they return," he said.
School attendance is expected to return to normal today as members of the council consider their next move. They are threatening to place their children in schools outside the town if appropriate action is not taken.
Mr Goode said children should be taught "for a significant part of the day" in classes reflecting their educational ability. An invitation to participate in the integration process of one of the schools, St Joseph's, occurred after parents signalled their intention to protest.
The Minister of State for Education, Mr Willie O'Dea, said he had no objection to giving parents the same kind of representation at the second school, St Anne's. They were due to be consulted on the new draft policies later this month in any case, he added.
Mr Dan Neville, a Limerick West Fine Gael TD, said the town, with a 45 per cent Traveller population, had unique and urgent problems. "Mainstream" pupils included members of the settled Traveller community whose parents were concerned about the school regime.
Rathkeale's population of 1,700 increases by more than 1,000 every Christmas when Travellers return to properties which are locked up for the remainder of the year.
Figures compiled by the Pa rents' Council show that between October and January the pupil population of St Anne's girls school increased by 23 per cent, from 213 to 261, 124 of whom were from the Traveller community. In the same period the number at St Joseph's boys school increased by 12 per cent, from 105 to 118, 43 of whom were Traveller children.
One parent, Ms Mary Curtin, said the issue had been misconstrued. "We are not against the Travellers. We want what is best for all our children," she said.
The Equality Authority said schools were bound by the Equal Status Act, and the report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community recommended education procedures "capable of accommodating Traveller nomadism".