Educate Together expects divestment of schools in Cobh, Fermoy and Passage West

HOPES have been raised for the establishment of Educate Together primary schools in Cobh, Fermoy and Passage West.

Parent run campaigns have been reinvigorated in light of the Department of Education and Skills' Action Plan for Education 2017 which commits to "commence discussions with existing and prospective patrons on potential “early movers” – schools in respect of which a desire for patronage reassignment has already been expressed".

Educate Together now hope that they will be able to establish additional schools in counties Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Mayo, Meath, Tipperary, Wicklow, Waterford and Dublin.

“This is great news for the parents that have long sought Educate Together national school in these 16 areas throughout Ireland," said Paul Rowe, CEO of Educate Together.

"Educate Together will do its utmost to facilitate the opening of these equality-based schools in collaboration with the Department and relevant Church authorities.”

Conor O’Mahony, a local Educate Together supporter in Fermoy added his enthusiasm.

'It’s important that families in Fermoy have more choice in the schools they send their children to.

"I want an Educate Together school in the town because I agree with the Educate Together ethos where children are all treated equally and learn about all religions."