merrion street

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn today published a draft General Scheme for an Education (Admission to Schools) Bill, 2013 as well as draft regulations for discussion ahead of enacting legislation.

The proposed regulations would underpin a fair and transparent enrolment process that precludes school places being allocated on the basis of waiting lists and stops schools seeking deposits or payments as part of the admission process.

The heads of bill, approved by the Cabinet, propose a new parent-friendly, equitable and consistent framework to regulate school admissions policy for all 4,000 primary and post-primary schools. If enacted, this framework will improve access to schools for all pupils and will ensure there is consistency, fairness and transparency in the admissions policies of all schools.

Under the proposals:

• Schools would not be allowed to accept applications for admission before October 1st of the year preceding the year of enrolment with a longer period allowed for boarding schools.
• The Minister may regulate that no admission fees may be sought or charged as a condition of application for admission to a school.
• Schools would not be able to conduct interviews with parents and children ahead of enrolment
• Schools that can establish that they have waiting lists in place may, under a derogation, be allowed to clear those lists over a period of a few years.
• Schools will be allowed to prioritise places for an applicant who is a sibling of an existing or former student.
• Appeals to be dealt with at school level under simplified arrangements.

The Minister said:

I believe there is a better way of dealing with school admissions. These measures are about what might be described as ‘good housekeeping’ and will bring about greater transparency, fairness and consistency in the way schools operate their admission processes.

While I don’t want to overly intrude in day-to-day school management the proposed new regulatory framework strikes a balance between school autonomy and fairness in our education system and would require schools to provide a better service for parents. The framework constitutes a significant public service reform aimed at substantially improving the experience between the public and schools on student admission.

The draft General Scheme and draft regulations will be issued to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection today, to allow a full public discussion, including inputs from parents and the education partners.