Review of Secondary School Common Application System Needed

Review of Secondary School Common Application System Needed - Nelligan

Aontú representative for Castletroy, Eric Nelligan, commented on the large number of Limerick City Primary School students who are unable to be accommodated based on this year's applications through the Limerick Area Post-Primary Schools Common Application System operated by the Limerick Education Support Centre.

Speaking today, Mr Nelligan said ‘’It will be an anxious week for many families as they hope and pray for the letter to arrive with positive news. A recent RTE piece showed the dismay one family faced as both sons did not get into their local school. Despite both sons attending the primary school across the road from the secondary school and living only a few minutes away, neither got into their local secondary school."

Mr Nelligan said; ‘the population of Limerick is growing, the population of children moving from primary into secondary school is growing. The population will continue to increase with further growth of 7-8% expected in the next 5 years. In 2020/2021 8786 students attended secondary school in the 15 schools in Limerick city and environs. We have seen growth of 1,132 in the past 5 years with an expected natural growth of 650 or so in the next 5 years. No new schools are planned to be built, which means existing schools will have to absorb this growth’’

Mr Nelligan added: ‘’There are barely enough spaces within the secondary school system currently to offer spots for children who live inside the ‘Limerick City School Planning Area’. Too many schools are allowing children from far outside this boundary to apply on an equal footing to children attending primary school within the boundary. The Boards of Management of many city schools are allowing children far into County Clare and County Limerick to attend school in the city with the consequence being that a sizeable number of city children are affectively school-less.’’

‘’The Limerick Area Post-Primary Schools Common Application System is run by the Limerick Education Support Centre. I’m calling on its officers to agree to a review of all secondary school application policies and to ensure that schools give a higher entry preference on the application criteria to students who live in the ‘Limerick City School Planning Area’ over those who travel from outside the area’’ concluded Mr Nelligan

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.