Edenderry and Birr parents urged to complete school patronage survey

Parents of children aged twelve and under in Birr and Edenderry are being urged to fill out a survey regarding what patrons they would like to see operating their local primary schools. The survey, which is an expansion of pilot surveys that were conducted late last year in five towns, went live today (Monday). Parents in Edenderry and Birr can make their views known by accessing the survey via www.education.ie. A statement from the Department of Education said the aim of the survey is to establish the level of demand from parents for diversity of school patronage in each of the 38 towns being surveyed around the country. At present some 96 per cent of primary schools are under church patronage, with more than 90 per cent under the remit of the Catholic Church. The survey currently running follows from the recommendations of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector. An Education Department spokesperson said earlier this week if parents indicate they would like a wider choice of patron the Department will ask existing patrons to come up with a plan to transfer some schools to other patron bodies. "This is an historic opportunity for parents in Co Offaly to have a real say in the type of school they wish to send their children to, be it denominational, multi-denominational, all-Irish or other," Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said. A comprehensive information campaign began this week, with leaflet drops to tell parents more about the survey. A helpline has also been set up - 1800 303621 - to help those having difficulty completing the survey. That helpline will open from 9.30am until 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday. Surveys can be completed by parents in Edenderry and Offaly until February 8.