I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this very important issue and I acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Ciaran Cannon.
Through parliamentary questions and a Fianna Fáil Private Members’ motion I had the opportunity to outline our concerns about the adverse effects the proposed changes to staffing schedules for small schools will cause to many communities throughout the country. This issue is not confined to rural Ireland but is also a concern for some communities in urban areas.
I welcome that the Minister has included an appeals mechanism in respect of staffing schedules for small schools with effect from next September, and that the element of retrospection is removed. However, I understand from the circular that although this part of the retrospection element has been removed actual enrolment numbers for September 2012 have been increased. My understanding is that a school that formerly needed 49 pupils for a third teacher appointment will need to have 53 pupils enrolled in September 2012 to retain a teaching complement of three. The required higher number of pupils is a further cause of concern. Is there provision to take into account an individual school's circumstances?
The Minister's predecessor commenced a value-for-money review of the role of small primary schools which was intended to find out the best way of supporting such schools. Small schools should be valued and protected. The extent of the current concern is due to the unusually high number of primary schools we have in proportion to our population. This is the result of many factors, the most important of which is that our national schools have always played a focal point in the local community. Our population patterns and dispersal are very different to those of most European countries.
In terms of education standards the evidence is that pupil outcomes in smaller schools keep pace with those of schools that have much larger enrolment and specialised support services. Happily, in the past ten to 12 years we have had a major investment in our smaller schools in human and physical resources. In the overall context the money involved has been a tiny fraction of the State's spending but the impact has been enormous, positive and progressive.
I pointed out that 47% of the 3,200 primary schools in the State have five teachers or fewer and consequently it is evident what a huge impact the staffing schedule changes would have on small rural schools. We all accept that small schools tend to have a more favourable pupil-teacher ratio than larger schools. It is important that we bear in mind that teachers in small schools have pupils of different ages and different grades in their classrooms and this adds to the complexity of multi-grade teaching.
The proposed cuts will have a disproportionate and severe impact on minority faith schools such as Church of Ireland schools of which there is a sizeable number in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, as well as in County Donegal, the general Border region and elsewhere. Those communities are very concerned about the proposed changes and the future viability of their schools. Minority faith schools have experienced a comprehensive rationalisation during recent decades. If some of these schools close, for reasons of distance it will be practically impossible for some children to attend school under the patronage of one of the minority churches. Many of the clergy, teachers and parents involved in minority faith schools are extremely worried about the future of their schools and are extremely disappointed with the changes being introduced by the Minister.
This action flies in the face of the Minister's stated policy. What does this policy do for school patronage and choice? These changes are blunt in nature and force cuts based on numbers alone, without any consideration of a school's ethos, the geography of a particular area or the impact on the community of removing such a key amenity. In most areas such schools have been the beneficiary of good parental and community involvement. In addition to the potential effects on schools under the patronage of minority churches there will be a severe impact on Gaeltacht schools and gaelscoileanna. I outlined this point clearly in our Private Members' motion.
Why are such important decisions being made in advance of the value-for-money review? This should be finalised and in the public domain at an early date. It is simply not good enough for the Minister and his Department to advise small schools to consider their future and assess their options for amalgamation. The clear message is, "Talk among yourselves". This leads to uncertainty and doubt which are not in the interests of any school or any institution.
We all realise there can be a fluctuation in enrolments from year to year depending on the number leaving sixth class and the new intake. It is not easy for schools to prove likely enrolment for future years, particularly when the numbers are small. The enrolment of one or two pupils can be critically important in small schools. I appeal to the Government to recognise the importance of our small schools. That importance must be given due recognition. Unfortunately, the uncertainty has not been removed with the detail of the appeals mechanism.
