Vol. 495 No. 6
8 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a request from ASTI to issue a circular to schools drawing attention to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers; the action, if any, he will take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20659/98]
The issue of the particular needs of students from refugee families and of those students from families seeking asylum in the State was raised in the course of a meeting which the Minister had with representatives of the ASTI. The value of a departmental circular on these and related issues of racism and xenophobia was also discussed. The Minister intends to discuss further with the ASTI and other partners in education the need for and the content of any such circular.
A circular letter, together with an educational resource package on combating racism, was sent to all primary and post-primary schools in September, 1997. The purpose of the circular was to create an awareness in schools that racism is a widespread and growing phenomenon throughout Europe and to encourage teachers to promote in their schools a greater appreciation of cultural diversity as well as a better understanding of how racism diminishes the humanity of all.
The circular stated that schools have a crucial role in the formation of attitudes and in the development of critically minded individuals who have the capacity to overcome prejudice, intolerance and racism. This can be done in an age appropriate manner by building on the sense of fairness felt by children.
An educational resource package containing ideas, practical suggestions for activities and lesson plans aimed at children of various ages was also circulated to facilitate teachers and schools in the promotion of learning activities related to the year against racism initiative.
I welcome the circular. Schools and teachers have been dealing with racism and xenophobia in a sensitive and constructive manner. What is at issue is the support they might expect to receive from the Department.
Does the Minister of State have any plans, perhaps through the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, to address the curriculum and establish if there are areas where racism might be dealt with? How is it proposed to deal with the language difficulties which obviously arise in classrooms where there are children from different national and cultural backgrounds? Is any additional assistance to be provided to schools in that regard? Has any progress been made in establishing a language support unit to address the language needs of children from different cultural backgrounds?
It is expected that the language support unit will be established shortly. I have some background information in respect of the language unit support group and I can forward that to the Deputy.
The Minister received the request for the circular from the ASTI. He has no objection in principle to issuing another circular but he wishes to consult the other partners in education. He intends to do that within the two weeks. That might result in the issue of a revised circular.
An interdepartmental committee is currently examining how we should deal with this matter at primary level. The vast majority of refugee children attend primary school. We expect a report from the committee in the near future which will offer guidelines and proposals on how to deal with the issue in the primary sector.
Is the Minister of State aware that in a number of Dublin schools up to 50 per cent of new enrolments are children from different cultural backgrounds? Some of those schools lost teachers this year because of declining pupil numbers. Will the Department make specialist support available to these schools, such as remedial teachers specialising in teaching English to non-English speaking children? They are bearing the brunt of dealing with this difficulty.
I was not aware the figure was as high as 50 per cent——
New enrolments.
I accept that it is as high as 50 per cent in some Dublin schools. If that is the case, the Department will have to take it on board as a matter of urgency.
Are any arrangements being made or contemplated to provide additional teaching hours to schools where there are children who require additional attention with regard to language, cultural and social integration?
There is an English language support scheme in place for pupils at primary level. At present, there are five visiting teachers for 29 schools catering for 72 students. The matter Deputy Gilmore raises is currently being discussed at the highest levels in the Department.
