Sir, – While Educate Together is delighted that the opening of our first second-level schools is getting such positive coverage from The Irish Times, we would like to make a couple of clarifications in relation to "Educate Together secondary school opens" (August 23rd).
You state that “Educate Together plans to open 10 schools . . . over the next decade in the east of the country, where demand is greatest”. Educate Together is currently opening eight secondary schools in the next two years. In 2016, we will open a secondary in Carrigaline and we also have a vibrant campaign group in Galway that has been working tirelessly on this issue for many years.
Widespread demand for our model of education is evident in all parts of the country. For instance, next week we are opening new primary schools in the Galway suburb of Knocknacarra, in Newtownwhite in Co Mayo, in Tramore and in Trim. Only two of the six new Educate Together primary schools are in the Dublin area.
The article also states that “the demand for Educate Together schools is greatest in areas where there is ethnic diversity”. While we have many excellent schools in very diverse communities, the reality is that the Educate Together schools with the longest waiting lists are in very established areas – in Glenageary, Glasnevin, Bray, Kilkenny, Ranelagh. This year we are setting up a new school for Dublin 4 with two full classes of junior infants, the Shellybanks Educate Together National School.
The demand for Educate Together schools comes mainly from a generation on generation change of attitude within the indigenous population that is being augmented by the needs of migrant families. Parents all over the country are increasingly seeing the benefit of their children being taught in an ethos of equality and respect that suits the needs of a modern, democratic Ireland. – Yours, etc,
PAUL ROWE,
Chief Executive,
Educate Together,
Hogan Place,
Dublin 2.