Figures show numbers of children being home schooled in County Roscommon
New figures show the number of children currently being home schooled in County Roscommon. Pic. iStock
A total of 76 secondary and primary level children are currently being home schooled in County Roscommon according to Department of Education figures.
Education Minister Normal Foley supplied the information as part of national figures in a written parliamentary response to Social Democrats TD for Kildare North, Catherine Murphy. The 76 children in Roscommon are among the 2,365 pupils who are being home schooled across the country.
Minister Foley said that the Irish constitution acknowledged the role of a parent or guardian as the primary educator of their child, and has enshrined in law that a parent or guardian may home educate their child or may choose to send their child to a school which is not a recognised school in accordance with section 10 of the Education Act, 1998.
“While the State cannot oblige parents or guardians to send their children to recognised schools, it must satisfy itself that all children receive a certain minimum education,” she explained.
