Ireland’s high levels of school segregation must be confronted in education reform – Green Party

Ireland’s high levels of school segregation must be confronted in education reform – Green Party

The Green Party has said that Ireland’s education system faces deep structural challenges around segregation, inclusivity and teacher’s voices, warning that reform will fail unless these issues are directly addressed.

With the launch of the National Conversation (public consultation) on the future of education, the Green Party says this moment must be used to confront uncomfortable truths, including the fact that Ireland has one of the highest rates of school segregation by sex in Europe and growing socio-economic divide in terms of progressing through the system.

Cllr Conor Dowling, Education Spokesperson, said Ireland’s school model remains unusually divided by European standards.

“Around one in three secondary students in Ireland attend single-sex schools, placing us behind only Malta as the most gender-segregated system in Europe. This separation is unusual in modern education and it shapes social development and opportunity.”

Cllr Dowling said international evidence shows that more inclusive and integrated school systems deliver better educational and social outcomes, while also strengthening democracy and social cohesion.

He added that teachers must be treated as equal partners in reform, not simply as those expected to implement change.

“Teachers are consistently asked to deliver new curricula, new assessments and new wellbeing supports, yet too often without meaningful consultation, time or resources. If reform is serious, teachers must be central stakeholders in shaping it not an afterthought.”

Green Party Leader, Roderic O’Gorman TD, said addressing segregation is essential to building a fair education system.

“A child’s experience of education should not be determined by school type, gender or family background. High levels of segregation undermine equality and social cohesion, and they limit life chances. Reform must move us towards a more inclusive system that supports every learner and values professional expertise in our schools.”

The Green Party said any credible education reform agenda must address:

·         High levels of segregation by sex and socio-economic background;

·         Inclusivity and equality across school types;

·         The role and voice of teachers in shaping change; and,

·         How success is defined beyond narrow academic measures.

The Green Party is encouraging teachers, parents, students and school communities to engage fully with the public consultation and to push for an education system that is inclusive, equitable and fit for the next generation.

National Conversation on Education Survey:  https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6b206c86756f4cfc91eb84f17ba0f3f9