Girl refused school place because of pregnancy, being single

[Ifreann]

These things don't just happen in America, it seems.

THE OMBUDSMAN FOR Children Emily Logan has recommended that a school which refused entry to a pregnant girl apologise for the way she was treated.

The mixed Catholic ethos school in Munster was subject to an investigation by Emily Logan, after the girl and her mother filed a complaint to the ombudsman’s office, reports the Sunday Times.

The girl’s mother said that that her 16-year-old daughter was refused entry to the school based initially on the fact that she was pregnant, and subsequently because she had given birth and was a young single mother.

The girl had attended the school for an interview in 2009 and understood that she had been accepted after she was advised to get a uniform and books. Emily Logan’s report details that the girl’s parents felt the school should be informed of her pregnancy. The school principal then placed a call stating that the girl would not be accepted at the school because she was pregnant. When the teen’s mother wrote to the school the principal responded:

Your letter surprises me. A neighbour called at your request and stated that your daughter was pregnant. I was shocked and told her that I did not take in such girls. She conveyed the message to you.

The girl enrolled in another school and attended there until she went on maternity leave. After the birth of her baby she again attempted to enrol at ‘School A’ and again attended an interview and was advised to purchase the necessary uniform and books. However she said the following day she was contacted, this time by the school manager, and was told “I will not and do not accept single mothers in this school”.

When the office of the ombudsman contacted the school asking for information regarding its enrolment policy, complaints procedure and copies of communication with the family in question it received the following response from the school manager:

Neither am I obliged to have any other frills that you mention. This school is NOT* a haven for young pregnant people or for young mothers who, in particular, have been in two other post primary schools. The school has an uncompromising ethos and will not become a dumping ground for those rejected elsewhere.

Logan’s report notes that the girl had attended two previous schools, but did not settle in them and wished to attend School A because she had friends there and wanted to go to a school outside the city.

The office of the ombudsman also sought a meeting with representatives of the school and received the following communication from the school manager:

Do not try to blame this school for having a moral code. You have no* business coming down here to single us out – we are a Catholic school and shall remain so.

The ombudsman’s report states that the school’s admissions and enrolment policy in relation to this girl is of “serious concern”, and finds that the girl has been discriminated against based on her family status.

The girl and her family were also not advised of any complaints or appeals mechanism and the report indicated further concern at the school’s use of the word “frills’ in relation to a request for information about a complaints process.

Emily Logan has recommended an inspection of the school by the Department of Education. A 2007 Whole School Evaluation by the department noted the absence of clarity on a number of school policies. Concern has also been expressed that there appears to be an absence of a Board of Management at the school, or an advisory group to represent parents and staff.

The girl at the centre of the case said she was very upset by the incident and the she felt:

…put into a low category, that I was not good enough to be in his school. I felt ashamed and embarrassed that someone could make me feel this was for being a single young mother. I wouldn’t wish this feeling on anyone else, I was very emotional and stressed by it. I felt hurt and discriminated against as my child wouldn’t stop me having an education.

The girl’s mother said that the damage to her daughter’s self-esteem had been “immeasurable” and that the actions of the school had negatively impacted on her daughter’s motivation.

The ombudsman’s office has said it is not satisfied with the final response received from School A and will be “considering the steps available in this regard”.

Read Emily Logan’s report in full>[pdf]

*all emphasis placed is as per the report

Sauce.

tl;dr version: A young girl attempted to enrol in 'School A'. She appeared successful, but was rejected when she informed the school that she was pregnant. She attended another school, and tried School A again after having her child. Again she appeared successful, but was told that the school did not admit single mothers. Per Irish law, it is not legal to discriminate based on family status(among other things). Radio reports I've heard have quoted the principal as saying he had "a duty to protect the honourable majority at his school". The school was not cooperative with the Ombudsman for Children, and doesn't appear to have a clear admittance policy, complaints procedure, or any kind of Board of Management or similar to represent staff and parents.

It's pretty fucking shameful behaviour, NSG, on the part of an ostensibly Catholic school, though hardly atypical of a certain type of jackass who uses their religion as grounds to treat others like shit. But hey, I'm sure Jesus would approve of turning children away from education . The idea that pregnant girls and single mothers would do some harm to other students is truly baffling. What, is she going to lactate someone to death? Clobber a teacher with a rattle? At least have the balls to admit that you're trying to punish her for not abiding by your personal morals.

I put it to you: Should schools be allowed to turn away prospective students because they are pregnant or single parents? I'm sure you can guess my answer.

[Yootwopia]

I put it to you: Should schools be allowed to turn away prospective students because they are pregnant or single parents?

Nah.

[Forster Keys]

No, it's a travesty.

[The United Colonies of Earth]

No rejection of pregant women...it's bigotism and pure corruption of Christian values.

[Khadgar]

She should be applauded for continuing her education, not denied entry.

[Libraria and Ausitoria]

No.

And this:

She should be applauded for continuing her education, not denied entry.

Education should be forever.

[Gigaverse]

No and no. Yes, people, NO!

[Disserbia]

If they feel that the person in question would not be able to keep up with work to their standards because they are too preoccupied, then yes. I have a feeling that was not the reason though.

[Laerod]

So let me get this straight, the school breaks the law and it's recommended that it apologize?

[Forster Keys]

If they feel that the person in question would not be able to keep up with work to their standards because they are too preoccupied, then yes. I have a feeling that was not the reason though.

So can an obsessive model plane hobby.

[Yootwopia]

If they feel that the person in question would not be able to keep up with work to their standards because they are too preoccupied, then yes.

They let any old person into schools. Even the fuck-ups. Why should someone who's a bit of special get an education, but not someone pregnant?

[Wisconsin7]

...This is surprising why? I mean, after all the reasons I've heard for religious schools refusing students on this site, this is actually pretty mild.

[Disserbia]

If they feel that the person in question would not be able to keep up with work to their standards because they are too preoccupied, then yes. I have a feeling that was not the reason though.

So can an obsessive model plane hobby.

Which is why it should be by individual case, as I said.

[Disserbia]

If they feel that the person in question would not be able to keep up with work to their standards because they are too preoccupied, then yes.

They let any old person into schools. Even the fuck-ups. Why should someone who's a bit of special get an education, but not someone pregnant?

...did you read my post? Its clear that I meant that it should be evaluated on an individual case basis. Stop trying to conflate my opinion with the policy of this particular school on this issue for the sake of argument.

[Forster Keys]

So can an obsessive model plane hobby.

Which is why it should be by individual case, as I said.

Cool beans bro. I suppose one would have to examine their official criteria and guidelines.

[Ashmoria]

if its illegal to discriminate against single mothers is it legal when its a school who is discriminating?

i think that schools should obey the law.

[Tergnitz]

Private educational institutions should be able to accept or deny whomever they want. Public institutions on the other hand should accept all students; regardless of their physical or family status.

[Disserbia]

Which is why it should be by individual case, as I said.

Cool beans bro. I suppose one would have to examine their official criteria and guidelines.

Yeah, I mean I think that in general schools seem to be driven by arbitrary acceptance policies or those that favor the rich in order to make money...no one should be accepted or turned down on merely one aspect of their history or current situation.

[New Corda]

Yeah, I may be agnostic, but I was under the impression that Jesus's message was all about, oh, I dunno, HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE, REGARDLESS OF "SIN"? You know, "let him be the first to throw a stone", ect. But I guess I'm wrong...

[Catan]

Devils advocate here (seeing as no one is taking the other side). Pregnant women may not be able to pay as they are spending their money on their kid. They will not devote the time needed to their studies as their child will absord all their time and energy. Letting single mothers on campus will encourage sexual immorality on campus (a bogus argument, but one I can see a conservative making.) The hormones running through her body could cause a class disruption, the school may spend more money with things like nurses and basic medical stuff...uh... thats all the devils advocate I can strech my brain to do at the moment.

[Nazis in Space]

Stick the slut in a Magdalan Asylum and let the nuns straighten her out. I'm sure she'll find Jesus that way.

[AiliailiA]

I think every school (private or public) should take a student who has a child to care for, if that student applies. However, if the student agrees, their particular needs can be better served by concentrating parent-students from several school districts in one school. If there are five or six parent-students in one school, it becomes practical to employ a child-care worker and set up a creche.

[Eviliatopia]

It's a private school. The owners have the right to deny any student for whatever reason they please. No matter how bigoted, stupid and unfair said reason may be.

[Laerod]

Devils advocate here (seeing as no one is taking the other side). Pregnant women may not be able to pay as they are spending their money on their kid. They will not devote the time needed to their studies as their child will absord all their time and energy. Letting single mothers on campus will encourage sexual immorality on campus (a bogus argument, but one I can see a conservative making.) The hormones running through her body could cause a class disruption, the school may spend more money with things like nurses and basic medical stuff...uh... thats all the devils advocate I can strech my brain to do at the moment. :)

The inherent problem with the arguments regarding being able to complete coursework is that the school didn't bother finding out whether this was going to happen, what the family situation was like, and who might end up caring for the baby if need be. So that falls flat on its face. That she might not be able to pay is silly, seeing as she was able to afford the textbooks and uniform and apparently still lives with her mother.

[AiliailiA]

Devils advocate here (seeing as no one is taking the other side). Pregnant women may not be able to pay as they are spending their money on their kid. They will not devote the time needed to their studies as their child will absord all their time and energy. Letting single mothers on campus will encourage sexual immorality on campus (a bogus argument, but one I can see a conservative making.) The hormones running through her body could cause a class disruption, the school may spend more money with things like nurses and basic medical stuff...uh... thats all the devils advocate I can strech my brain to do at the moment.

Make a new nation and give the Devil his due.

Hint: you know you're doing it right when someone calls you a troll.