Press Release May 2006
15th May 2006.
Survey of Traveller Education Provision by the Department of Education and Science
Pavee Point broadly welcomes today's publication of the Survey of Traveller Education Provision by the Department of Education and Science. In particular we welcome the Survey's focus on the quality of Travellers' experience while in school and on outcomes and attainment for Travellers. Pavee Point concurs with the Report's findings that there remains significant work to be done to ensure Traveller's full integration in education in Ireland.
Pavee Point particularly welcomes the Report's focus on intercultural policies and practices as a means to ensure Traveller pupils' full integration in mainstream education. "We all have a role to play to make sure every Traveller child is fully integrated into the mainstream, the Department of Education, the wider educational community, and Traveller parents also have a vital role to play in supporting their children's education," said Martin Collins, Assistant Director Pavee Point.
"We also share the Report's concern at the practise of withdrawing Traveller children from mainstream class for supplementary support. This system of withdrawal is de facto segregated provision and we welcome the Report's emphasis that supplementary support must be needs based rather than identity based. In addition, where supplementary support is required by a Traveller child, this ought to be given in an integrated context."
"We look forward to full implementation of this Report's conclusions and recommendations and we call for the speedy publication of the Traveller Education Strategy. Both of these reports, if fully implemented should charter a more positive inclusive school experience of school life for Travellers which is not just access orientated but outcome orientated," Martin Collins concluded. ENDS
For further information please contact Martin Collins 01 8780255
Issued by Pavee Point Travellers Centre, 46 North Great Charles St., Dublin 1. Ph: 01 8780255