1,000 signatures reached
To: Department of Education and Skills
Secure the future of Tramore Educate Together National School
We are strongly opposed to the recent designation of Tramore Educate Together National School as having ‘half-stream’ status and are calling on the Department of Education & Skills to re-designate it as a full-stream school immediately.
We are also asking as a matter of urgency that the Department of Education provide information on accommodation for the school for this September.
In 2017, after many months of contacting the Forward Planning Section of the D.E.S. regarding our concerns for a permanent building for September 2018, the Board of Management contacted our local representatives to further our campaign. This is the answer to a recent parliamentary question asked in the Dail on our behalf: “pending the school's permanent accommodation becoming available, the school has been operating in temporary accommodation. The school building to be vacated for this school's permanent accommodation is still occupied by the amalgamated school for which an extension project is currently at architectural planning stage.” This accommodation will not be available for September and we are at capacity in our temporary accommodation.
Why is this important?
Every parent should be able to send their child to a school where they feel they will get the best possible start in life. In the town of Tramore there are three denominational primary schools. The Educate Together is the only multi-denominational primary school, however if the Department's recent decision to downgrade the school to 'half stream' status is implemented, the school will only be able to accept 13 students every year. This in a town with a population of over 10,000 people.
The Educate Together ethos supports children's moral and spiritual development and teaches children about different belief systems. Everyone takes part and no one has to opt out. Due to the dedication and hard-work of the Principal and teachers of Educate Together in Tramore, places for the school are in very high demand. The Department's decision is taking away the option for parents of all faiths and none to educate their children in a school which reflects their equality based ethos. That this can be allowed happen in 2018 is a scandal.
We call on the D.E.S. to reverse their unwarranted decision and allow Tramore Educate Together to grow to full capacity to serve the children of Tramore into the future. This will give the people of Tramore the educational choice that they were promised after the 2012 plebiscite on school patronage.