Pupils still ‘fall through gaps’ despite top inequality ranking

IRELAND ranks second of 41 wealthy nations in reducing education inequality between children, according to Unicef ’s latest Report Card.

But despite the positive findings, substantial gaps still exist between the best and worst performing students in Ireland, according to the report ‘An Unfair Start: Inequality in Children’s Education in Rich Countries’.

There are concerns vulnerable groups such as Traveller children, children experiencing homelessness and immigrant children are in danger of being left behind due to insufficient educational supports.

The report looks at two principle indicators of inequality – the percentage of children enrolled in pre-school one year before the official age for starting primary; and the gap in reading scores between the lowest and highest performing 10-year-olds and 15-year-olds.

The ranking results for Ireland, based on periodic international student assessments, such as the OECD’s PISA, show inequality among children decreases as they move from early childhood education (33rd) to primary (16th) and on to second-level (2nd).

The ranking at age 15 is regarded as key as this represents the level of inequality towards the end of compulsory education. However, with one in 10 students in Ireland not reaching basic proficiency in reading by age 15, many are still falling through the gaps and not getting the resources they need, the report said.