COUNTY Dublin
VEC has called on Dublin parents to back their call for new Community National
Schools.
Parents are
urged to express their interest now in advance of an imminent Department of
Education decision on new schools.
Parents are
invited to express interest for any enrolment years, including 2012 and onwards,
by September 30.
County Dublin
VEC has plans to open new Community National Schools for 2012 enrolment in
Ballinteer, Stepaside and Tallaght (Citywest/ Fortunestown).
Community
National Schools are also being proposed for 2013 enrolment in Carpenterstown,
Stepaside, Lucan South, Firhouse/Oldbawn and Tallaght West.
New schools are
also planned for other enrolment years so parents should express their interest
for any future year when they will want to enrol a child in a Community
National School.
The development
follows the recent announcement by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn that 20 new
primary schools will be opened in Ireland over the next six years.
Welcoming the
plans for new schools, Dr Marie Griffin, Chief Executive of County Dublin VEC,
said:
“We are being contacted every day
by parents who are interested in a new Community National School for their
area. We have hundreds of expressions of
interest from parents in each area across County Dublin. We are delighted that
this possibility is now coming closer as the department plans to fund the
opening of much needed new primary schools.
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Community
National Schools are new State operated multi-belief primary schools. Under a programme started in 2007, there are
already five Community National Schools (three in County Dublin) providing high
quality primary education and personal life skills development for children of
all beliefs.
The Community
National Schools have met with a very positive response from parents and their
local communities. They provide the full
National Primary School curriculum as laid down by the Department of Education
and Skills.
Parents must
express their interest in a Community National School for their area by
September 30 to allow County Dublin VEC to relay this on to the department.
“Community
National Schools provide a vibrant and modern approach to primary education,
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said Dr Griffin.
“They are inclusive,
multi-denominational and offer a primary education experience that reflects the
modern day needs of society and in doing so, care completely for the wellbeing
and personal growth of the child.
“Community
National Schools have a very strong local focus. We welcome all children of the
appropriate age, and respect diversity while also providing a multi-belief
education programme within the school day.
We are also focused on quality of service provision, good governance and
accountability to the local community.
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Dr Griffin urged
interested parents to make contact with the VEC at the earliest opportunity and
to make their views known on their wish for new schools within the community.
“To establish high quality Community National
Schools, we need to hear from parents immediately so that we can inform the
Department of Education about what people want,
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“We will welcome
this interest and we will look forward to serving our local communities with
excellent primary school education in the years ahead.
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Information on
Community National Schools is available at www.mycns.ie
Parents can also
email cns@codubvec.ie or phone (01) 4529600 for details.