06 October, 2008 - Traveller students double in post-primary schools in six years - Minister O'Keeffe

The number of Traveller students enrolled in our post-primary schools has doubled in the past six years, according to new figures released today by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD.

Minister O'Keeffe said: 'In 2006, the most recent year for which figures are available, 2,317 Travellers enrolled in our post-primary schools, compared with 1,165 in 2000.

'In the same year, 7,771 Traveller students were enrolled in our primary schools - twice the cohort enrolled two decades ago.

'There, they are supported by over 500 resource teachers for Travellers and other back-up services and agencies in schools.

'In 2005, 63 Traveller students did the Leaving Certificate examination, rising to 82 students last year.

'Increasing numbers of Travellers are engaged in education in a range of alternative centres at second level.

'For example, enrolment figures for Travellers under 18 years in Youthreach was 267 in September 2006.

'More than 190 Travellers enrolled in Senior Traveller Training Centres in the same year while 86 signed up for FÁS Community Training Workshops.

'There has been a modest but important uptake among Travellers in third-level education which has been partly helped by our success at primary and post-primary levels and with the support of third-level access programmes in our universities and colleges.  

'Clearly, we have made huge progress in helping Travellers to access education and the figures bear that out.

'That progress is attributable in no small part to my Department's strategy document on Traveller education which, following widespread consultation, informed the establishment of the Traveller Implementation Group to co-ordinate education policies for Travellers based on integration, inclusion and age-appropriate placement.

'I want to acknowledge that this progress has been greatly helped by the support of many schools, teachers and Traveller families and the ongoing commitment of 42 visiting teachers for Travellers who liaise with Traveller families, schools and other relevant agencies,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

However, Minister O'Keeffe cautioned that, while progress has been made, challenges remain - the most pressing of which are absenteeism and retention rates among Traveller students.

'In September 2006, figures show that, while 709 Traveller students were enrolled in first year, only 115 enrolled in sixth year.

'I am committed to ensuring that we continue to support Travellers students' access to all levels of education so that they are optimally positioned to benefit from the learning opportunities that will stand to them in later life,' said Minister O'Keeffe.

ENDS