School enrolment audit welcomed

WE were pleased to read in your issue of August 29 that the Minister of Education, Mary Hanafin, intends to conduct an audit of schools in relation to their enrolment policies.

The Department of Education has a responsibility to ensure that individuals are not discriminated against in terms of access to education. This issue was raised in a report, Breaking Down Barriers, published by Amnesty International Irish Section earlier this year.

The report raised a number of concerns relating to how the Department of Education was responding to the needs of a multicultural society.

Through our education initiatives we are fortunate to come into contact with many school communities who have developed their own education programmes in this area. It is up to the department to ensure that all schools have the opportunity to share in this good practice through proper investment in policy direction, teacher training and curriculum development.

Education has a crucial role to play in challenging prejudice and making the effective enjoyment of human rights a reality.

Minister Hanafin’s words of leadership in this regard are to be welcomed and will, we hope, be reflected in further action in the months ahead.

Brian Ruane

Human Rights Education Manager

Amnesty International Irish Section

48 Fleet Street

Dublin 2