Shragh National School in the parish of Doonbeg is one of just over 100 primary and post-primary schools nationally to receive additional supports under the DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) Plan 2017.
Rural schools all over the country have been included in the list with Shragh N.S. one of the Clare primary schools to benefit from the DEIS scheme as announced by Minister for Education, Richard Bruton.
Speaking at the launch, Bruton vowed that extra supports, like additional NEPS provision, priority professional development provision and book rental schemes, will be put in place. He feels that this is a pathway that can help more children progress to third level education.
“Every child must have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their circumstances. Education has a unique capacity to break down the cycles of disadvantage. It is essential that each child whether they attend a large urban school or a small rural school, live in east Clare or Ennis, North Clare or Shannon or indeed West Clare, have the same opportunities open to them. I am delighted therefore to see Shragh National School in the parish of Doonbeg included in this year’s DEIS list,” stated Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen.
Independent Clare TD, Dr Michael Harty was pleased to see the Doonbeg school included in the DEIS plan for 2017. “This is the first time since 2009 that new schools have been given DEIS status and I am very optimistic that Shragh will benefit hugely the additional supports which will become available when the new programme begins in September of this year. I also welcome the Minister’s new plan to tackle education disadvantage and agree with him that every child has to have the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their circumstances.
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.
This new Plan builds on the experiences of existing DEIS schools and draws on international best practice. It sets out new targets to further improve literacy and numeracy, improve school completion rates and improve progression to further and higher education.