Plan to tackle educational disadvantage to include enhanced funding and priority access to supports
The scheme is also expected to assist in improving literacy and numeracy through targeted supports for students. File picture
Schools with the highest levels of disadvantage are to receive targeted supports under new plans to be announced.
The Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools (Deis) scheme supports approximately 240,000 students, having been expanded significantly since its introduction in 2005.
However, principals working in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country have warned the current policy is flawed as there is no recognition that extra support is needed in the hardest-hit communities.
Education minister Helen McEntee will announce a new major programme of work aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.
This will include the introduction of a Deis plus scheme, as well as new initiatives and the development of a new Deis action plan.
This action plan is expected to take on board the recommendations of a recent OECD review into the current Deis scheme, published last summer, and focus on improving opportunities and achievement levels of children at risk of educational disadvantage, while also working towards a more flexible system of supports for schools.
The Deis plus scheme is expected to provide targeted support to primary and post-primary schools with the highest levels of disadvantage.
While the exact details are still being finalised, the minister is understood to be considering enhanced funding, staffing, and priority access to wellbeing supports.
The scheme is also expected to assist in improving literacy and numeracy through targeted supports for students.
Ms McEntee also plans to focus on improving progression rates into higher and further education and the world of work by addressing Leaving Certificate retention in Deis post-primary schools.
She is also expected to announce an expansion of the Home School Community Liaison scheme in a bid to tackle school absences.
School attendance has dropped significantly post-pandemic; thousands of students missed out on at least a month of school in the 2022/23 school year, prompting concerns amongst inspectors about poor attendance rates post-covid.
The problem is particularly marked in disadvantaged areas.
Of “particular concern” to school inspectors is that 43% of primary school students, and 30% of post-primary school students in schools with the highest levels of disadvantage missed 20 school days or more.
Data from the 2023/24 school year has not yet been published by Tusla.
Minister for education Helen McEntee has pledged to reverse this trend.
With 'youth' moving into the Department of Education, the minister is expected to better align the range of supports available, while also bringing the various support services together.
