'Brains or breeding' selection of pupils faces ban [Independent.ie]
- Published: 11 June 2011
EDUCATION Minister Ruairi Quinn plans to outlaw the practice of schools 'cherry-picking' pupils on the basis of brains or breeding.
In a major shake-up of the country's 4,000 primary and post-primary schools, the issue of how schools select pupils is to be overhauled.
There is growing disquiet about some schools not taking their fair share of pupils with special needs, or children from migrant or Traveller families.
It is particularly prevalent in fee-paying schools, which get over €100m a year from the taxpayer to pay salaries and help with building and other costs.
Mr Quinn will launch a discussion document on Monday setting out his priorities, and final decisions will be taken after the consultation process.
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