Immigration and schooling in Ireland addresses the impact of recent rapid social and economic change on the education system. It provides detailed analysis and fascinating insights into the complex and varied responses of principals, teachers, parents and children to working in newly-multi ethnic schools. It highlights the key role played historically by education in shaping the ‘Irish’ nation and how this has governed responses to those who have come from the ‘outside’. Devine offers a thought-provoking critique of current policies as Ireland’s attempts to position itself as a leading-edge knowledge economy influences both the nature of immigration and responses to immigrants in the education system.
This book will appeal to those working and studying in the field of education, sociology, social policy and childhood studies. It will also be of interest to those with an interest in social theory and the work of Pierre Bourdieu.