Deirdre Clune
Question:405 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the continuance of entrance exams for entrance to secondary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21891/00]
Written Answers. - Schools Enrolment.
The selection and enrolment of pupils in second level schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. As schools may not have a place for every applicant, a selection process may be necessary.
In relation to the application of fair and objective entrance criteria for entry to second level schools my Department has agreed with the three post-primary managerial associations that the selection of pupils for enrolment in second level schools should not be based on academic ability and selection on that basis, where used heretofore, must be discontinued; each school should disclose its enrolment policy and the criteria used in selecting pupils for enrolment to inform parents of the selection procedures and to allay fears of discrimination and the principle of the school working in and for the community it serves should be emphasised.
On that basis, emphasis should be placed by post-primary schools on catering, in the first instance, for children from their own communities and catchment areas.
Schools are advised to use some of the following selection criteria in determining how best to frame a selection policy to meet its individual needs: priority to pupils from national schools in the area; enrolment on a "first come, first served" basis; random selection on the basis of age of applicants; and priority to brothers and sisters of pupils already enrolled in the school.