VPRS 3915 Papers on School Zoning

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Since the Education Act 1910, the Minister has had the power to refuse a child admission to a State School "where accommodation was elsewhere provided". In 1958 this clause was expanded to enable the Minister to specify an area within which children must be resident in order to be eligible for enrolment at any State School. This restriction appears to have been enforced only when enrolments at specific schools have been too large. In 1975, a Departmental Memo (75/52) gave authority for school zoning to Regional Directors.

The present group of papers was found in bundles together in some disarray. Some alphabetical sequence was evident and as there seemed to be no logic or administrative need in the arrangement, the files have been re-arranged in strict alphabetical order, with the two on secondary zoning last.

Most files relate to a single school, but some relate to a whole area. Papers include maps, petitions, requests from parents for the admission of children to a specific school, notes regarding deputations to the Minister and to Departmental officials, correspondence with municipal authorities and departmental memoranda between such persons as the Minister, his Secretary and the Chief Inspector of Schools. Papers may also include file notes of actions taken or decisions made.