Trevor Sargent
Ceist:134 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education her definition of basic minimum education for children; and if she will outline this basic minimum requirement. [18799/95]
Written Answers. - Basic Minimum Education.
Bunreacht na hÉireann empowers the State to require that children receive a certain minimum education — moral, intellectual, social. There is no absolute level of attainment specified which can be defined as a minimum basic education.
The school attendance Acts require that all children should attend school between the ages of six and 15 years of age. Attendance at school during the compulsory period is recognised as receiving a basic minimum education.
If parents or guardians decide to educate their children other than by attendance at school they can be required to present them for assessment and to give an account of the education programme presented to the children. Where such children are found to have a standard of literacy and numeracy and awareness of the world around them commensurate with their ability they are deemed to be receiving a basic minimum education.