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Education in County Kildare

Primary

 

This section will focus on issues relating to Primary Education.

Summary of the Education Act 1998

The Education Act 1998 includes the following:

  • New measures which schools or the Department of Education and Science are required to put in place
  • Statements in relation to aspects of the education system including the role and functions of the Inspectorate, the functions of a school, the principal and teachers
  • Technical and administrative provisions which govern the education system, including provisions in relation to the recognition of schools, the role of the patron of a school and matters in connection with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

Key principles in the Act throughout include

  • The obligation to provide for the education of every person in the state
  • Inclusivity and equality of access, with emphasis on ensuring provision for persons with disabilities or other special educational needs
  • The rights of parents to send their children to a school of their choice
  • Ensuring that the education system is accountable to students, their parents and the State for the education provided
  • Respect for diversity including respect for diverse values, beliefs, languages and traditions in Irish society
  • Requires the education system to be conducted in a spirit of partnership between schools, patrons, students, parents, teachers and the community

 

Impact on schools

  • Parents (or students of 18 years or upwards) are entitled to have access in the prescribed manner to records kept by the school relating to the progress of the student in his/her education
  • The Board of Management is obliged to publish its enrolment/admissions policy, including the policy of the school relating to expulsion and suspension of students.
  • The Board of Management must establish procedures for informing parents of matters relating to the operation and performance of the school
  • The Board of Management must prepare a school plan which will include the objectives of the school relating to equality of access, participation in the school and provision for students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs.

 

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