A GROUP of parents in Limerick have launched a campaign for an Educate Together secondary school for Limerick.
Currently, Limerick has two Educate Together Primary schools – Limerick School Project and Limerick Educate Together National School – but there is no secondary school for parents who wish for their children to continue to be educated under that ethos.
In view of the growing numbers of primary school-aged children, the Department of Education and Skills is currently considering providing space for a new secondary school for Limerick as part of the Southern Environs Local Area Plan 2011-2017.
Concerned parents from Limerick School Project and Limerick Educate Together NS are urging all parents with young children to support their initiative by filling out an ‘Expression of Interest’ form to support an additional secondary school.
The group hopes that if sufficient numbers of parents express an interest in an Educate Together post-primary school in Limerick, the Department of Education may take their wishes into consideration when making a decision.
Spokesperson Janine Nehrig said: “Often, parents are confused about how Educate Together schools differ from other schools. They do not differ with regard to teaching the national curriculum to highest standards but offer additional benefits for children, based on their equality-based and child-centred ethos that emphasises co-educational and democratic values.
“These principles of inclusion, acceptance and cooperation are highly valued by parents and children alike as they foster independence and passion in learning. As yet, there is no equivalent second level choice for students who wish to maintain this ethos in their secondary education here in Limerick. Showing your interest in establishing an Educate Together secondary school would give more children in Limerick that choice.”
The group has stressed that showing support for the campaign “does not imply any commitment” and will simply show there is demand for another second level school in Limerick.
Any parents or guardians interested in supporting the campaign can log ontowww.limerick2ndlevel.com and complete a short expression of interest form.
For further information, visit the website or contact the parents committee atlet2ndlevel@gmail.com.
