Second level education in Ireland has undergone significant change in recent years. Discuss the above statement and refer to opportunities for early school leavers. (8) OL
Analyse how the supports provided in schools accommodate the educational requirements of pupils from different ethnic backgrounds. (9) HL
Discuss equality of opportunity in education with reference to the following: early school leavers. (10) HL
HL
Initiatives for improving access to education Many government-funded initiatives aim to improve accessibility to education for all.
Primary and second-level initiatives
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance This allowance helps low-income families meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school. To be eligible parents/guardians need to be receiving certain social welfare payments or participating in a training, employment or adult education scheme. The allowance is €100 for each child aged 4–11 and €200 for each young person aged 12–22. Young people aged between 18–22 must be in full-time second-level education to receive this allowance.
Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL)
This scheme is a school-based prevention strategy targeted at students from disadvantaged areas who are at risk of not reaching their potential in the education system and becoming early school leavers. It aims to retain students in the education system past compulsory education. To achieve this, Home School Community Liaison coordinators:
• promote active co-operation between home, school and relevant community agencies in promoting the education of children
• raise awareness in parents of their own abilities to enhance their child’s progress at school and to assist them in developing relevant skills.
Education welfare services of the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA)
This agency aims to encourage and support regular school attendance of students, in particular those who are at risk of early school leaving. To achieve this, education welfare officers are employed at a local level to: • support and provide advice to parents and children who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance
• follow up on absences and ensure problems around attendance are addressed before it becomes a crisis issue. If a child has missed 20 days or more of school, the school must inform the statutory educational welfare services of the Child and Family Agency
• monitor children being educated at home to ensure they are receiving a certain minimum education.
