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.

He said the current system is unfair on families who move home or are new to an area. It will also put at a disadvantage families “who, sadly, out of necessity leave this country at the moment with their children and are not sure when they are coming back or to what location”.

Schools, parents and other interested parties have four months to respond to the proposals in the discussion paper, and legislation would then be introduced to put any new rules on a statutory footing. It would also allow intervention by a person outside of the school boards of management to enforce compliance.

At present, 80% of schools take in all children who apply, with the remaining 20% using various selection criteria.

The document outlines a number of areas where selection criteria, for both primary and secondary schools are acceptable and what selection processes should end.

The document calls for:

* Schools to give priority to older children.

* End waiting lists as they discriminate against newcomers to an area. Abandon first-come-first-served regime as it leads to queues on enrolment day.

* Pupils with brothers and sisters in a school should get priority.

* No preferential treatment for pupils related to staff, board of management, past pupils or benefactors.

* Denominational schools can give priority to children of a particular faith.

* Pupils who live closest should be given priority.

* Parents’ language competency should not dictate whether a child secures a place.

* The continued use of some admissions criteria is not favoured, for example:

* Language ability of parents. Some students are put at a disadvantage because parents are not competent in Irish or English.

* Academic ability of a child based on entrance exam or test.

* Having a relative or parent working at school.

* Financial contributions of parents to schools (except in private schools).

* Feeder school arrangements: children from a particular primary school should not be given priority for secondary access.

* Open day attendance.

The body representing vocational education committees (VECs), which run around 250 second level schools, welcomed the minister’s steps. But, the Irish Vocational Education Association also said schools that flagrantly breach requirements for inclusive enrolment should be subject to penalty, up to the point of the minister withdrawing recognition as a school in accordance with the Education Act.

While the power of the minister to remove a school board that is not discharging its functions effectively is mentioned in the discussion document, it suggests such a move might be disproportionate if concerns are just about enrolment issues.

The Joint Managerial Body, representing boards of almost 400 second level schools, stressed the importance in any debate of a balance between parental choice and regulation. It advocates open, transparent and welcoming enrolment policies in schools.