Funding concerns for scheme helping students in disadvantaged areas
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Nine out 10 students who took part in a programme to promote third-level participation and tackle early school leaving have progressed to further education, a report has revealed.
Some north Dublin suburbs have historically had one of the lowest third-level participation rates in Ireland – but 90 per cent of students who joined the Challenger initiative are continuing education beyond second-level.
However, an assessment of the project coinciding with its 30th anniversary on Tuesday has raised concerns about its long-term future.
Challenger, developed in 1995 by primary school teachers Dermot Boyle in Priorswood, and Noel Kelly in Darndale, is delivered by local development company Northside Partnership to 200 young people yearly across Darndale, Bonnybrook, Priorswood, Coolock and Kilmore West, working in partnership with DEIS schools.
It provides educational and social support to children with the aim of boosting numbers progressing to further education.
The programme’s latest evaluation, by Dr Maria Quinlan of Pink Flower Research, warns that Challenger is restrained in long-term planning and development by a vulnerable funding model.
It is currently co-funded by Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme under the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through the Higher Education Equity of Access initiative, and the Community Foundation of Ireland.
Dr Quinlan said: “As is common in the sector of community development, the Challenger programme is reliant on funding support from Government agencies and public donations.”
She added: “While funding is currently secured for the next four to five years, longer term the programme remains at the whim of funding decisions beyond the control of Northside Partnership.
“This insecure funding model makes long-term planning or programme expansion challenging.”
Offering structured support to young people from sixth class to sixth year, Challenger works with parents and schools, with 40 sixth class pupils joining each year.
Challenger provides back up to children transitioning from sixth class to secondary school and through their Junior and Leaving Certificates and aids progression to further education.
It aims to challenge young people to reach their full academic, personal, and social potential.
Supports include extracurricular tuition and access to the Gaeltacht, and five-year evaluations of the programme have highlighted significant academic improvement, coupled with emotional growth.
Paul Rogers, chief executive of Northside Partnership, said children from the communities it serves have as much talent and potential as those from more affluent areas, but often lack the chance to fully develop their potential.
He said: “As well as retaining children in full-time education and seeking to ensure they fulfil their potential, it seeks to build a positive education culture within communities, ensuring further education is viewed as attainable and achievable.”
He added: “Often, what drives families to join Challenger are the success stories of students who have thrived through the programme.”
According to Dr Jack Nolan, chairman of the Darndale Economic and Social Plan implementation group, a Dublin City Council initiative for the area, introducing children to the concept of further education is a key component of the Challenger programme.
“Challenger introduces children from areas with complex needs to the idea of further education at an early age,” he said.
“It supports them to aim high and guides them along the way.”
The programme’s latest evaluation was scheduled to be unveiled on Tuesday at an event to mark its 30th anniversary in the Hilton Hotel, Northern Cross, by educational inclusion specialist Professor Katriona O’Sullivan of NUI Maynooth.