Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Early School Leavers.

Michael Bell

Question:

38 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the participation rate of Traveller children in second level schools; the most recent figures relating to their retention to junior certificate level and to leaving certificate level; and the steps which he is taking to improve these rates. [2793/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

My Department maintains a database of pupils enrolled in post primary schools. However, the database does not hold information in relation to the ethnic status of pupils. Accordingly, verified data in the format requested by the Deputy is not available.

My Department's national education officer for Travellers conducts an annual survey in relation to the number of Traveller children enrolled in post-primary schools. This survey is carried out using data collected by my Department's visiting teacher service for Travellers and is based on the number of Traveller children enrolled in schools on 30 September. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,400 Traveller children enrolled in post-primary schools in the current school year. It is also estimated that approximately 220 children are enrolled in the third year of the junior cycle and that approximately 65 pupils are enrolled in the final year of the senior cycle or in post leaving certificate courses.

This represents a significant improvement in the level of Traveller participation at all levels of the post-primary sector. However, there is much more work to be done before participation rates and retention to junior certificate and leaving certificate levels is similar to those achieved by other categories of pupils. My Department allocates additional teaching and financial resources to post-primary schools where Traveller children are enrolled.

The problem of early school leaving requires movement on a number of fronts and that is the approach that my Department is taking. In the first instance it is important that we offer curricular choice which meets the needs of the diversity of pupils, including Travellers, in our second level schools. The junior certificate schools programme and the leaving certificate applied are two programmes which aim to achieve a greater level of inclusiveness in curricular provision.

An important element in improving school attendance and retention rates in our schools is the establishment of the National Educational Welfare Board. The board will play a central role in implementing the provisions of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, with a view to promoting regular attendance at school and discouraging early school leaving.

Strategies are in place to encourage and support schools in retaining pupils to completion of senior cycle. The focus of two initiatives, the eight to 15 year old early school leavers initiative and the stay in school retention initiative at second level, which form part of the school completion programme, is to target resources at those schools and communities experiencing the greatest difficulties with early school leaving. Traveller pupils will also benefit from these initiatives.

It is only by sustained action across a number of fronts – curricular, legislative and direct support – that we will make progress in relation to increasing Traveller participation and retention at all levels of education.