Publish education strategy soon, Travellers’ rights campaigners urge

TRAVELLERS’ rights campaigners have called for the urgent publication of an overdue education strategy aimed at encouraging children to stay in school.

The strategy, which had input from officials, teachers and support groups, was completed last October.

Campaigners hope it will recommend a higher level of support for Traveller children in the classroom and direct schools to adapt a more flexible approach to children whose families carry on a nomadic lifestyle.

Jane Rooney, Education Coordinator at Traveller support group Pavee Point, said changes in the approach to education were needed.

“School is not the happiest place for many Traveller children,” she said.

The call follows the prosecution of five Limerick couples for failing to keep their children in school to the age of 16. The couples were fined €800 each at Rathkeale District Court.

The case highlighted the problems encountered by education authorities and Traveller families in ensuring children attend school regularly and stay until the legal finishing age of 16.

Studies carried out by Pavee Point and the Department of Education have shown many Traveller children endure name-calling, unnecessary or prolonged segregation from classmates and exclusion from the full educational curriculum.

“Many children, from a very young age, are very aware from that their identity will pose a problem,” said Ms Rooney.

“There is prejudice among the majority population and that prejudice is felt in schools the same as in the wider community.”

Ms Rooney said parents had to bear some responsibility for their children’s absenteeism but that many Traveller adults had poor experiences in school, while nomadic Travellers often saw formal schooling as less important than learning the family business.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said the strategy was in the final stages of preparation.

“The minister will consider the report and recommendations and an implementation plan will be prepared then.”