New legislation for school enrolment

Draft legislation has been published to stop schools from charging application fees, operating waiting lists and interviewing parents or children for school places.

 

The new regulations would apply to all 4,000 Irish primary and post-primary schools and would also provide for a new parent-friendly appeals system should disputes arise.

 

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn said their goal was to ensure “a fair and balanced school admissions process”.

 

There have been complaints in the past about ‘soft barriers’ put in place by schools to exclude certain students. Under the new legislation schools would be required to publish the criteria they use for enrolment. Places available after priority places have been filled will then be filled by a lottery.

 

First-come-first-served policies would also be eliminated under the regulations.

 

What do you think? Is this legislation necessary? Did you encounter unfair barriers when enrolling your children?