Paul Kehoe
Question:145 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who have been unable to obtain second level education in Wexford town and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9140/03]
Written Answers - Second Level Education.
Paul Kehoe
Question:147 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of people who have been expelled from secondary schools in Wexford town and county; if they were able to get another school to continue their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9142/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 147 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, the 2002 NESF report on early school leaving estimated that on a national basis, approximately 1,000 children are in this category.
The Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which came into effect on 5 July 2002, provides for the introduction of a comprehensive school attendance service, with responsibility for school attendance being given to a newly established body – the National Educational Welfare Board. The Act requires schools considering the expulsion of a student to notify the educational welfare officer 20 school days prior to the expulsion. The automatic involvement of the educational welfare officer in these situations will provide a key means for the early identification and support of children at risk of dropping out of school. An educational welfare officer will be assigned to every school for the purposes of the Act.
The Act requires schools to draw up school attendance strategies in order to promote regular attendance and to foster an appreciation of learning amongst the students. The strategy will focus on arrangements for the identification of children who are at risk of dropping out of school at an early stage so that appropriate interventions may be put in place. The board will also assist schools in discharging their responsibilities under the Act.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal to the Secretary General of my Department where a board of management of a school or a person acting on behalf of the board refuses to enrol a student; suspends a student for a cumulative total of more than 20 days in an academic year or expels a student from the school. An independent appeals mechanism is in place to deal with section 29 appeals. Under the Act, an appeal must be dealt with within 30 days with a provision for a 14 day extension to this period if required.
To date, there have been three appeals under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 in relation to expulsions in County Wexford schools. Two of these were resolved at facilitation and one appeal was not upheld.
In addition, my Department gives assistance in securing placement in individual cases where, for whatever reason including expulsion, a pupil is without a mainstream school place and the parents or guardian seek my Departments assistance. This can arise where a pupil has been excluded as a result of disruptive behaviour and where alternative arrangements need to be made. In these circumstances, my Department endeavours through a process of consultation with schools and through the inspectorate to assist his or her placement in another school. There are no placement cases currently in progress at post primary level in Wexford.