1 in 3 people want co-educational and multi-denominational education options

Would you like to see more co-ed schools in Ireland?

Over a third of people want education and training options that are free, co-educational, multi-denominational, and located close to their home. That’s according to research released by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) today. The release of the research coincides with the official launch of the organisation’s strategy statement, which outlines their ambitions for the coming three years. Commenting on the demand for co-educational and multidenominational education, Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary of ETBI, said;

"Our research findings show the public’s preference for education provision that is community-based, free and co-ed – and that's exactly what ETBs offer. We operate in every county in the Republic of Ireland, providing education across multiple levels from primary school provision to night classes. Despite the extent of our education provision, many people are unaware of the scale of services we provide. This has come through in the survey also – while almost half of people recognise that ETBs are regional education and training bodies, much fewer realise the extent to which ETBs, for example, run primary and post-primary schools; provide youth services and apprenticeships and operate Further Education and Training centres. We have some progress to make on awareness of the work and ethos of ETBs, and the time is ripe for that. With the Government target of 400 multidenominational schools by 2030, ETBs are well positioned to run many of these new schools. Our schools are multidenominational, co-educational and State-run, and it will be important – in the coming years – for us to ensure parents and students nationwide are aware of this."

The findings released by ETBI today are based on research undertaken by B&A in January 2022, focusing on the characteristics that parents, families, and individuals prioritise when selecting education and training providers at all levels. A survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of 1,001 adults, aged 16+. During the survey it was discovered that when deciding on education and training options for themselves and their families, respondents placed the most importance on free provision (68per cent), followed by proximity to their home (63 per cent), the availability of primary and secondary school options that share the same ethos and values (54 per cent), co-education (53 per cent), multi-denominational (39 per cent), State-run (33 per cent), and Irish-language provision (26 per cent).