GAA legend O Se kick-starts drive to lobby for new school
June 20, 2014
The All Ireland-winning footballer and Irish Independent’columnist analyst is fronting a new campaign to get a decent building for the overcrowded gaelscoil where he works.
As far back as 2011, the 394-pupil Gaelscoil de hIde, Fermoy, Co Cork, was promised a new building to cater for its increasing enrolments. In fact, they were told it would be ready in September 2014 – but the wait goes on.
The almost-400 pupils squeeze into a school built for 280 with many classrooms are half the size of the standard classroom. And the play area is totally inadequate.
Former storage rooms, libraries and cloak halls have had to be converted into classrooms with some classes located uncomfortably close to the toilets.
The outdoor facilities are no better. Pupils must use the small tarmac area at the rear of the school on a ‘traffic-light’ style system as it can only cater for limited numbers at one time.
It is something that really grates with the GAA star, who described it as “a ridiculous situation, the worst I’ve ever seen and the children are being deprived”. He said: “Physical education is such an important part of a child’s development and it’s awful that we as teachers have to tell the children they can’t even run during the morning break.
“Exercise is crucial for children. The ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ concept is completely accurate.
“I grew up in a country school and we could blow off steam at break and play games to our hearts content.
“The children here can’t. It’s unacceptable and it’s wrong.”
The school also suffers from a lack of adequate drop-off or parking facilities for parents.
Principal Sean Mac Gearrailt said there has been years of work by the school board, parents, staff and pupils.
“I am totally frustrated at the extremely slow pace by public bodies in securing a site,” he said.
Now they have formed Gaelscoil de hÍde New School Action Group to lobby local public representatives – including Junior Minister Sean Sherlock – which is kicking off with a postcard campaign.
Meanwhile, Munster’s first Community National School is to be built in a record time of 36 weeks, after construction starts in the New Year.
The school will be built at Castlepark, Mallow, Co Cork, by a new rapid response unit of the Department of Education and Skills.
The Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) CEO, Ted Owens said it will have an eight classrooms with specialist and ancillary rooms including two special education tuition rooms, an external ball court and a play area.
A principal will be appointed shortly and enrolments for the new school have already commenced.
Irish Independent
Folúntas: Scoil Fhursa
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Folúntais: Coláiste na Coiribe
June 19, 2014
Gaelscoil Longfort get a Green Flag
June 19, 2014
Congratulations to the students and staff of Gaelscoil Longfoirt who were awarded a Green Flag recently and had a great day of celebration. Well done to all involved!
Gaelscoil Longfoirt on Facebook
Educating your child your own way – The Last Word podcast
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Cara from the North Kildare founding committee spoke to Matt Cooper on Today FM about the campaign for Irish-medium post-primary education in the area. You can listen to the podcast here: Today FM
Folúntas: An Gáirdín (montessori)
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Minister visits new premises for Dungiven school
June 19, 2014
Education Minister John O’Dowd has visited new premises for Gaelscoil Neachtain in Dungiven.
Gaelscoil Neachtain opened in September 2012 and is one of only two controlled Irish-medium primary schools in Northern Ireland. The school operated at first on the site of the former St Canice’s Primary School nearby until relocating to refurbished premises at the vacant Dungiven Primary School, after a £700,000 investment by the Department.
Speaking about his visit, the Minister said: “Over the past 30 years the Irish-medium sector across the north has transformed into a vibrant, dynamic and integral part of our education system. I am committed to providing choice for parents where there is a need and it was clear that there was demand and support for education in the Irish language in the Dungiven area.
“I am delighted to be here today to see the results of my Department’s £700,000 investment which has substantially improved the school accommodation for the benefit of both the staff and the pupils. I congratulate Principal Marian Kelly and the staff at the school who have worked hard to get to this stage.
“I wish Gaelscoil Neachtain and everyone connected with the school every success as they settle into their new premises.”
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Ó hOisín has welcomed the visit. He said: “As more and more people are deciding to educate their children through the medium of Irish the demand for a modern Irish medium school in Dungiven grew.
“I would congratulate those people who took in the campaign to get a dedicated school for the Irish language community and we now see the fruits of their labour with this new school, Gaelscoil Neachtain.
“I am delighted that the Education Minister John O’Dowd paid a visit today to the newly finished school to endorse the work carried out before it opens it doors in the new term.
“The school will provide modern facilities in which children right across the Dungiven and Limavady area will be taught through Irish.
“I would like to thank the Minister for his commitment to the Irish language sector in ensuring tat the school is now ready for the new term.”
www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk
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