Petition Tag - multi-denominational

Educate Together is a recognised patron body and the fastest growing provider of primary school education in Ireland today. It operates schools based on the delivery of equality of access and esteem to children irrespective of their social, cultural or religious backgrounds.

Set up in the 1970s by volunteers and educationalists, it now operates 58 schools throughout the country and has applied to open 45 primary and its first secondary schools in the next few years. It is an independent educational charity that is supported by small government grants and extensive private fundraising. See www.educatetogether.ie for further information.

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We are a group of parents who have come together to establish an Educate Together national school in the Tallaght/Citywest area of South-West Dublin, Ireland.

In the majority of state-funded schools in Ireland, the Patron is a religious leader or clergyman. As Patron, Educate Together guarantees equality of access and esteem to children irrespective of their social, cultural or religious backgrounds. The schools are also parent-initiated, usually being established by parents who want this unique ethos available in their locality. As a result, there is a high level of parental participation in the operation of the schools.

We wish to provide an option for our children to receive their primary education in such a school. In our area, we want to have a school that is multi-denominational,
co-educational, child centered and democratically run. A school that adequately reflects the growing multi-denominational nature of the Tallaght/Citywest area.

However, we were recently informed that the Department of Education and Science would not be recognizing a new school in the area in 2009. We feel this is unfair to the large number of parents who have indicated that the Educate Together ethos is their preferred option for their children. If you agree, please sign our petition.

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