School principals are calling on the Department of Education to allow schools to introduce CAO-style application processes for school places.
The Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) says such a move would standardise enrolment policies and make the admissions system fairer. Using a web-based system the group is proposing that there should be one annual date for applications by parents and another for a response from schools, with parents ranking schools in order of their preference.
The call comes as the Education Minister is preparing to publish draft legislation aimed at making school enrolment policies fairer.
Principals have called for a CAO-style application process for school places in an effort to standardise enrolment practice.
IPPN Director Seán Cottrell said school enrolment policy, mainly at second level, is uneven.
"Children with currently enrolled siblings and those living closest to a school should have priority over others. Families that have traditionally lived within a school’s catchment area, and attended that school, should not be disadvantaged by those living in newer houses located closer to the school" he said.
'Easier on parents'
IPPN says that securing a school place should not be influenced by the fact that the child's parents are past pupils or teachers.
"Neither should benefactors of the school, scholarships, multi-annual waiting lists, booking deposits and aptitude screening be among the criteria, official or otherwise, required for enrolment in any school. Schools are funded based on the number of children enrolled" Cottrell added.
The IPPN also believes that extra weighted capitation values should be applied to Traveller children, new Irish children, children from designated disadvantaged areas, and children with special education needs under the new national enrolment policy.
It says that schools that 'deflect' challenging enrolments should have their capitation grants reduced as a result. It also believes a fairer and more transparent enrolment process would relieve stress on many parents.
