Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) calls on parents to participate in Primary Schools Survey 2030 and have their say on the future of primary education
The release of a nationwide survey to all parents of children aged 0-12 by the Department of Education and Youth has been welcomed by LWETB. The survey, aims to assess the appetite amongst parents for multi-denominational, co-educational and Irish-medium education.
Education and Training Boards, the patrons of Community National Schools and Community Colleges across the country, which are state-funded, co-educational, multi-denominational primary and post-primary schools, and the largest provider of education through the medium of Irish, are calling on all parents of children within this cohort, as well as school staff and boards of management to participate in the survey and have their say.
Commenting today, Siobhán Lynch, Chief Executive of LWETB said: “This survey represents a key opportunity to shape the future of education across Ireland, ensuring our schools reflect the diversity of today’s society. We encourage parents, school staff, and boards of management to share their views and make use of the information and resources provided by the Department.”
“While change can feel daunting,” she continued, “it’s important to recognise that when a school transitions to a Community National School under the patronage of the local ETB, much of what families value remains the same – the curriculum, staff, and extra-curricular activities continue as before. What evolves is the school ethos, which becomes fully inclusive, welcoming children and families of all backgrounds equally throughout the school day. Instead of focusing solely on Catholic religious instruction, students explore a range of religious and non-religious worldviews, including the beliefs of their classmates. Catholic families still have the option for children to prepare for First Holy Communion or Confirmation, with sacramental preparation taking place outside of regular school hours.”
LWETB currently has one Community National School, Cornamaddy CNS in Athlone, which provides multi-denominational, inclusive primary education under ETB patronage. LWETB would welcome opportunities for the reconfiguration of existing schools to the CNS model in response to local community demand for diversity in school provision. At post-primary level, LWETB has a strong footprint with eight second-level schools across Longford and Westmeath, offering high-quality, inclusive education to students throughout the region.
Data on Religious Beliefs demonstrates “clear need for more diverse school options”
Figures gathered by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the national representative body of Ireland’s 16 ETBs, including LWETB, show that, currently, only 156 of the 3089 primary schools nationally are multi-denominational (i.e. 5% of all schools). The vast majority – 95% – fall under the patronage of religious bodies, primarily the Catholic Church. Data from the most recent Census illustrates a mismatch between the religious beliefs of people in Ireland, and the educational options currently on offer. In the 2022 Census, 31% of people in Ireland said they do not identify as Catholic, with over 14% identifying as non-religious and significant increases in other religious beliefs.
Commenting on the data, Brian Higgins, Director of Schools, Youth & Music with LWETB, said: “Recent census data highlights the growing demand for a wider range of primary school options for families in our region. Many children currently have limited access to multi-denominational education, with the majority of local schools following a Catholic ethos.”
In the research carried out, ETBI assessed the appetite for multi-denominational schools nationwide. Their findings show 61% of people nationally would prefer to have a multi-denominational body providing education rather than a religious body.”
