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Cross-party support for #UpForSchool at Irish Parliament

Whether it is a bake sale or a talent contest Â鶹APP“ Ireland is #UpForSchool. The challenge to collect 10,000 signatures for the from across Ireland is now in full swing.

With Senator Fidelma Healy Eames at the helm, the campaign has already attracted the support of more than 40 parliamentarians, many of whom are championing the petition in their own counties.

Senator Healy Eames explained: Â鶹APPœWhenever we discuss the importance of education around the world and why every child should have access to education, we always get a heartwarming response from the people of Ireland. Of course we need to do more than just talk about it, we need to act to ensure it happens.Â鶹APP�

The #UpForSchool Petition is a youth-led campaign calling on world leaders to keep their promise to ensure every child in every country is at school Â鶹APP“ without fear of danger or discrimination.

In January, Women In Parliament Â鶹APP“ a global network of more than 9000 female parliamentarians Â鶹APP“ appointed Senator Healy Eames as education champion for Ireland. She has recently returned from a Women in Parliament conference in Ethiopia.

She said: Â鶹APPœI am very happy to take the lead on the #UpForSchool campaign. The number of children not in school by right is an important global challenge. While it is not a problem specific to Ireland, we need to have solidarity with our fellow children around the world.

Education minister Jan OÂ鶹APP™Sullivan signs #UpForSchool

Â鶹APPœGirls are a particular concern. Until all girls have access to education and learning, we will not have the right conditions for gender equity. Until then the whole of society loses out.Â鶹APP�

The campaign was kick-started by the Minister for Education and Skills, Jan OÂ鶹APP™Sullivan, with many senators and cross-party politicians in attendance at Leinster House in Dublin. This was followed by a national launch in February at the Human Rights Centre in Galway.

Caroline Duggan, a passionate educationalist and campaigner organiser for Galway, said: Â鶹APPœProfessor Michael OÂ鶹APP™ Flaherty, an Irish academic, human rights lawyer and a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (HRC), gave a moving and inspirational speech to a packed audience of schools, teachers and parents, as well as students from the Human Rights Centre.

Girls standing up for Girls for the right to go to school.

Â鶹APP” Caroline Duggan (@Smewest)

Â鶹APPœAs a result, everyone there was clearly very energised and ready to get cracking collecting signatures to demand all children go to school.Â鶹APP�

Twenty-six schools from across Galway have committed to taking the #UpForSchool Petition out to fellow students, teachers and the wider community.

Caroline added: Â鶹APPœSchools in Galway are now working tirelessly on the petition. Just this week a school invited parents and former students to an X Factor talent show where they collected signatures from everyone in the audience.  

One of Irelands best know broadcaters signs petition campaign.

Â鶹APP” Fidelma Healy Eames (@senhealyeames)

Â鶹APPœA primary school also plans to get the petition forms out at a cake bake sale and craft fayre. The level of activity is just brilliant and I have to say well done to them!Â鶹APP�

The campaign will also focus on building signatures on its and to achieve the 10,000 target.

With the global total for #UpForSchool now well past five million, Senator Healy Eames said: Â鶹APPœItÂ鶹APP™s phenomenal. Really wonderful news.

Â鶹APPœFive million people around the world stating that it is the duty of world leaders to ensure all our children are in school and that education is a right is a positive step for humankind.Â鶹APP�