Admissions to Schools law serves the elite
Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 which commenced today gives with one hand and takes with another in terms of equality.
Senator Ó Ríordáin said:
“While it is welcome that religion will no longer be a barrier when it comes to schools admissions. It is disgraceful that 25% of school places are now reserved for children and grandchildren of past pupils.
“It is outrageous that a school should be allowed to keep 25% of its student body for children and grandchildren of past pupils. It is clear the the old guard within the fee-paying school sector won out and ensured that this was included in the Admissions to School Act.
“With this new law, Fine Gael are doing what they do best which is serving the elite of this country
“This 25% policy will discriminate against students who come from poorer backgrounds and will keep the ‘royal blood line’ of succession in our private schools.
“This new law will allow all schools to provide a certain number of places to the children of parents or grandparents of past pupils. This automatically means that a child whose parents, or potentially grandparents, did not go to secondary school, will be at a disadvantage where a school is oversubscribed.
“Time and time again I have called this particular piece of legislation, elitist, odious and wrong and I am disappointed to see this legislation be commenced today.”