Councillor: “Where is the equality for the children in the schools that aren’t DEIS funded?”

Councillor Michael Colm MacGiolla Eaisbig has highlighted his concern regarding the DEIS programme, and how schools in West Donegal may be missing out on the DEIS status – leading to further inequality and disadvantages.

Councillor MacGiolla Eaisbig says; “The meaning of DEIS is Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. Where is the equality for the children in the schools that aren’t DEIS funded? I have been working with Thomas Pringle and Minister Joe Mc Hugh on this matter for the last two years and would call on other TDs in Donegal to raise this issue also.”

For the academic year 2016-2017, 825 schools are included within the DEIS scheme, 11 less than last year and 48 less than the schemes first operational year in 2006.

Out of the 825 schools included; 80 primary schools and 11 secondary schools in Donegal are registered.

Donegal’s schools account for 11% of the total number of Ireland’s DEIS schools.

Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) the Action Plan for Educational Inclusion, was launched in May 2005 and remains the Department of Education and Skills policy instrument to address educational disadvantage.

The action plan focuses on addressing and prioritising the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from pre-school through second-level education (3 to 18 years).