Protest at Ratoath School over IPads

A group of parents held a silent protest outside Ratoath College last night (Wednesday) while a Board of Management meeting was being held in the school.

The protest followed confirmation at an EGM of the Parents association that the school’s Board of Management would persist with their  iPad policy for incoming first year students in August, despite a high profile campaign to re-introduce hardcopy books to the school.

In a petition signed by over 700 parents and guardians, parents said that they had no objection to the use of iPads if provided by the school, used under the supervision of teachers and retained in the school. They requested booklists and committed to buying books for their children. This proposal has been rejected by Ratoath College’s Board of Management.

A spokesperson for parents said: “This is incredibly disappointing and deeply frustrating for the many parents who have supported the campaign to re-introduce books to the school for Junior Cycle students. This has been a stressful time for us all and it’s quite shocking that a school board can have the power to make critical decisions that impact on children and parents without having to take their views into account. In the case of Ratoath College, parents are being blatantly ignored and our power to parent our own children as we choose has been removed from us by a Board of Management. There are many questions that need to be asked - and answered - about how this situation is still deemed to be acceptable in 2019. The school talks about educating our children for the future, but not being allowed to have a say in how this is done makes it feel like we are still firmly rooted in the past.”

Cllr Nick Killian a member of the school's Board of Management said that last night's meeting was held so the  Board could discuss digital technology and the ongoing concerns of parents.

He said the Board would issue a full statement shortly on all aspects of the controversy.