Vol. 421 No. 6
9 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the up-to-date report of the home/school/ community liaison scheme at primary and post-primary level; if he will outline the plans, if any, he has to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The home/ school/community liaison programme commenced at primary level in 1990 and was extended to the post-primary sector in 1991. It is being monitored by a national steering committee and is subject to ongoing evaluation by the Educational Research Centre. In the 1991-92 school year the programme was in operation in 93 schools with a total combined enrolment of around 35,000 pupils.
The indications emerging to date from the operation of the scheme are very favourable and show a positive response on the part of all those involved in the scheme, particularly the target groups. It is intended to undertake a comprehensive overall review of the scheme over the next six months in order to establish whether any refinements or adjustments to the present scheme are required.
It is proposed to extend the programme further to include 15 additional schools catering for a combined enrolment of 9,000 pupils in the post primary sector for the 1992-93 school year.
Would the Minister not agree that there is a decrease in discipline in our schools and that educational disadvantage continues to expand in our society? If these problems are to be dealt with comprehensively the extension of home school links is the solution because schools cannot deal with these problems in isolation. This would be a sensible use of resources. The greatest degree of success would be gained in dealing with the problems in the context of the home.
I agree with the Deputy. This scheme is very exciting. It is one thing to deal with pupils in the classroom but to achieve success their home situation has to be understood, particularly in relation to those from disadvantaged areas. As the Deputy knows, the scheme was launched in 1990 and 30 teachers were appointed as co-ordinators in disadvantaged areas.
That number has now increased to 45. I plan to extend the scheme to 15 more schools immediately. I shall be keeping a close eye on the scheme in the next few months to monitor how it is operating. This is precisely the kind of scheme that is needed. The feedback from schools involved in it is very good. Teachers are going into the homes for discussions with parents and they are involving the parents in the pupils' school work. That is critical in disadvantaged areas in particular in order to ensure that pupils stay in the schools and that teachers understand the family background.
