Importance of education for lone parents

A local women’s group had a very successful launch of a key report into the importance of education for lone parents last week.

Women’s Collective Ireland (WCI), Ronanstown launched the report at their building in North Clondalkin on June 13.

The report is entitled “The Power of Community Education: Supporting lone parents to fulfil their potential in education, employment and society”.

“It was fantastic, brilliant, we had a great turnout, about 35 attended,” said Sinead Mahon, WCI Ronanstown Coordinator, who also spoke at the launch.

Ms Mahon said that WCI Ronanstown believe Community Education is an informal method of learning in an open, friendly, and supportive environment, provided by the community for the community. “It is person centred. It recognises and values life-experiences, in a way which builds self-confidence and enables people to develop and make choices,” she said.

“We believe women’s community education is a catalyst for positive change and transformation in the lives of women,” she added.

Ms Mahon also outlined some of the background behind WCI Ronanstown. “WCI Ronanstown is a three bedroomed house, based in North Clondalkin. Our classroom is the kitchen. We also have a community creche in Neilstown of which we have two rooms, we provide quality, affordable childcare to our participants and local community,” said Ms Mahon.

Ms Mahon also outlined at the launch some disturbing statistics from the recent ‘Disadvantage, Poverty and Deprivation in South Dublin County 2024 Report’. “This report said that many areas such as Ronanstown have worsened since 2016. Lone parents’ households in this area is at 53.90 %, [while] .. the national average is 10.71%. Third level qualification in this area is 7.02%, [while] .. the national average is at 41.85%,” she said.

WCI Ronanstown hope that the Community Education report, which emphasises the crucial importance of education and the provision of wraparound services to enable lone parents to access education, will be a launchpad for securing increased funding for their services.

“The report is researched, it’s evidence-based, so now we can lobby at local and national governmental level regarding the recommendations of the report and we can use the report to seek funding,” said Ms Mahon.

Funding is an ever-present consideration at WCI, Ronanstown. “Our staff and overheads are paid through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Youth. But if we are providing any programmes we have to apply locally for funding through the Local Authority or through community grants,” said Ms Mahon.

“We are always on the lookout for funding,” she added.

Two ladies from Clondalkin, who have availed of services at WCI, Ronanstown, Ms Paula McLoughlin and Ms Avril Hannifin, also spoke at the launch about their experiences of community-based education.

Dr Kaitriona O’Sullivan, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, and activist and best-selling author of ‘Poor’ launched the Community Education report.

Dr O’Sullivan, who availed of the Trinity Access programme, also spoke of the opportunities that she got from education in a community-based setting.