Workers Solidarity Movement

Teachers from Dublin DEIS schools have welcomed the publication by the Department of Education & Skills and the Educational Research Centre of a report which shows that “…the DEIS programme is having a positive effect on tackling educational disadvantage…” and that “…improvement is taking place in the learning achievements of pupils in DEIS primary schools…”

They have called on the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, to announce an immediate reversal of all cuts in the light of this report, and have announced that the planned DEIS schools protest will proceed this Thursday in the absence of such a clear announcement.

“Minister Quinn admitted last week that the cuts affecting DEIS schools were a mistake and that he had ordered a Review.  But the work done in DEIS schools – just as is the case in all schools – is under constant review through Whole School Evaluations, incidental visits from DES inspectors, and evaluations from the Education Research Centre,” said Catherine Groves , principal of CentralModelInfantsSchool, Marlborough Street. 

“This report is just the latest evidence to show that DEIS is effective and is delivering results.  Rather than wasting time with yet another review Minister Quinn should just announce a full reversal of the cuts and allow us to get on with our good work,” she continued.

“We need to hear a clear announcement from the Minister that all cuts to both DEIS Band 1 and Band 2 schools will be reversed,” said Max Cannon, principal of HolyRosaryPrimary School, Tallaght.  “This cannot be done on a piecemeal or school-by-school basis but it must be clear and transparent that all schools are being treated equally.”

“We welcome the fact that the Minister has admitted the cuts were wrong.  This is a step in the right direction and is a tribute to the campaign carried out by all members of the school communities affected,” he continued.  “Those communities are determined that this protest will proceed unless the Minister states clearly that the cuts are to be completely reversed.  If this does not happen, the campaign will be stepped up and Thursday’s protest will be followed up by an even more intensive lobbying of government TDs and a major protest involving all DEIS schools in the country.”

Details of protest:

Gathering at Department of Education, Marlborough St., Dublin 1 from 3.30p.m. on Thursday 19^th January.

Schools from north and south inner city will be organising feeder marches from their schools to converge on Marlborough St.

Speakers –
Noreen Flynn, President Irish National Teachers Organisation
Pat Fanning, Principal St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview
Breda Murray, Principal Our Lady Immaculate Junior National School, Darndale Marie Barnwell, parent St. Enda’s Primary School, Whitefriar St.
Catherine Finnegan, parent St. Thomas’ Primary School, Jobstown, Tallaght

The protest is being co-ordinated by the 4 Dublin Districts of the Irish National Teachers Organisation

WORDS: Press Release from DEIS Action group INTO