Ruane - children from traveller community must enjoy equality in education

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, today opened the Joint North South Traveller Education Conference in Newry.

Principals, teachers, traveller parents and traveller support groups from across Ireland heard keynote speeches from Caitríona Ruane, Education Minister, Sean Haughey T.D. the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science in the South of Ireland and Dr Robbie McVeigh, Joint Chairperson of the Taskforce for Traveller Education.

Traveller children from local schools were given the opportunity to make presentations about their culture and some of the issues they face.

Speaking after the conference Minister Ruane said: “Children and young people from the traveller community experience some of the worst educational outcomes of any minority ethnic group. Children from the traveller community face a range of barriers to education including racism in our society therefore many leave school before the age of 16 with no formal qualifications and poor literacy and numeracy skills.

“Last year I established the Taskforce for Traveller Education to review the educational needs of the traveller community and make recommendations on improving educational attainment. Conferences such as this bring together principals and teachers, with the aim of exploring, sharing and building on the good practice which already exists in schools. We must all work together to ensure traveller communities have educational opportunities based on their needs."

Notes to Editors:

1. Other speakers on the day included Robbie McVeigh, Joint Chairperson of the Taskforce of Traveller Education and Pat McSitric, Assistant Chief Inspector, Department of Education and Science.
2. For media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.