THE Educate Together organisation has expressed disappointment and concern at the decision reached between the State and the Bishop of Kerry to transfer Two Mile National School in Killarney to the Kerry Education Training Board to re-open as a community primary school.
A spokesperson said it left those specifically campaigning for equality-based schools with no real voice in the decision-making process.
Following parental surveys in 2013, Killarney was one of 25 areas considered for an Educate Together school in a process devised to bring about more diversity and inclusiveness in the primary school system.
“Educate Together has been engaging with parents in the Killarney area for four years with a view to establishing an Educate Together school in the town. In 2017, interest levels among parents for an Educate Together school remain high,” a statement from the organisation maintained.
When it became aware that the school in Two Mile was closing, Educate Together expressed an interest in acquiring the premises but the department has now sanctioned a community national school. The transfer was approved by Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, who was patron of the school.
Educate Together CEO, Paul Rowe, said it is disappointing for some parents in Killarney who feel they have been let down.
“What is needed now is a complete review of the minister’s proposed process for reconfiguration. The state needs to take control of this process so that the needs of local communities – not Bishops or religious orders – are central and so that real change can happen nationwide,” he remarked.
Educate Together is an independent organisation that runs schools that guarantee equality of access and esteem to children irrespective of their social, cultural or religious backgrounds.
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