Post-Primary Education

The transfer rate for Travellers to post-primary level was 85 per cent in 2003. There are approximately 1,850 Traveller students in mainstream post-primary schools at present out of a possible 4,000 i.e. 46 per cent of all Traveller students of post-primary school age. The table below gives the estimated number of Traveller students in mainstream post-primary schools by class year of distribution for 2004/2005 as provided by the National Education Officer for Travellers (NEOT).


The estimated number of Traveller students in mainstream post-primary schools by year of distribution for 2004/2005:




One of the major problems for Traveller students is the high drop out rate from post-primary education that exists. The majority leave prior to completing the Junior Cycle. There have been some improvements as can be seen from table below which gives the estimated distribution of Traveller students in mainstream post-primary schools in recent years as provided by the NEOT.


The distribution of Traveller students in mainstream post-primary schools in recent years:




Traveller Specific Measures in Post-Primary Education

For each Traveller child enrolled in a post-primary school, an enhanced capitation grant is provided; namely €427 for each Traveller child in addition to the €286 standard capitation grant. Ex-quota hours are also allocated to schools on the basis of the number of Travellers enrolled. The posts are calculated as 1.5 hours per week for each Traveller child enrolled. At present, this equates to 140 whole-time equivalent posts in place throughout the country to provide specific educational support and pastoral care for Travellers attending post-primary school.

Other Support Services

Travellers are entitled to access other services and supports in primary education that are not Traveller specific. These include the School Completion Programme (SCP) and Home School Liaison scheme.



Current Concerns in Post-Primary Education

The main concern for Travellers and Traveller organizations is the high-drop out rate from Post-Primary education and the small numbers of Travellers receiving qualifications such as the Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate, and hence the small numbers that directly go to Higher Education. One of the direct reasons for this is the low-levels of attainment of Traveller children in primary education and the withdrawal from core subjects such as Irish. This directly impacts on Traveller children’s ability to participate in post-primary education as they are often under additional stress in trying to overcome educational disadvantage in what is recognized as a difficult transition from primary to post-primary (see Primary education section of the ITM Education webpage for more details). Another huge concern is the lack of validation of Traveller culture within the post-primary education system, which can often leave young Travellers feeling isolated or can lead them to hide their identity to avoid bullying and discrimination. The sense of isolation often means that young Travellers leave mainstream education into other education and training where they have support of Traveller peers and friends and they can be comfortable with their identity. The issue of training allowances acting as an unintended contributing factor to early-school leaving is addressed in the Further and Adult Education section of the ITM Education webpage. 

The Department of Education and Science has published Guidelines on Traveller Education in Second-Level Schools can be accessed at:
www.education.ie/servlet/blobservlet/pp_traveller_education.pdf


Junior Education Centres for Travellers

There are currently three Junior Education Centres for Travellers (JECT), which cater for 80 students aged 12-15 years. These are funded by the Department of Education and Science. The Task Force report of 1995 commented that the JECT appeared “to exist in a policy vacuum” and it is unclear what future they will have in an inclusive vision of education.