O’Keeffe denies floodgates open for single-sex schools

THE decision to enrol a girl in an all-boys’ second-level school in September will not open the floodgates for single-sex schools, but is likely to spark a significant debate on the gender mix in Irish education.

The mother of Megan Kavanagh who, last March, was refused a place at Nagle Community College in the Cork suburb of Mahon successfully appealed the decision. The school has agreed to let Megan begin first year at the school next month.

However, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe said schools are entitled to single-sex enrolment under equal status legislation and the Department of Education does not expect floodgates to open as a result of the decision, based on the case heard by an appeals committee appointed by the department.