Move to end second-level schools’ waiting lists

WAITING lists for some second-level schools where parents “more or less put their name on the list before going into labour” could become a thing of the past under planned legal changes to put stricter control on enrolment policies.

However, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn could face strong opposition over another proposal for external officers to oversee enrolment at schools where the fairness of the admissions record is unsatisfactory.

Publishing a discussion document on primary and second level enrolment policies, partially aimed at preventing the “cherry picking” of children based on their background, wealth or ability, the minister said he also wants to put an end to long waiting lists. He said this situation is “not acceptable” and proposed a uniform time-scale for all schools which would prevent them from taking names until the October before an academic year begins.