Ó Sé to lead march for new gaelscoil
September 3, 2014
Former All-Ireland medal winner Tomás Ó Sé is set to lead a 1,000-strong demonstration next Friday to highlight the growing frustration amongst pupils, parents, and staff over the length of time it is taking to build a new school.
The Sunday Game pundit is to head a march organised by Gaelscoil de hÍde New School Action Group in Fermoy, Co Cork, at 11.30am.
The action group is calling on the Department of Education to honour a vow made in 2011 to build a gaelscoil in the town. The department is yet to locate a definite site.
Mr Ó Sé is a teacher at the 410-pupil school and is angry that his pupils are having to put up with totally inadequate facilities.
The school was originally expected to cater for just half the number of pupils it has. Cloakrooms, halls, and former libraries have been converted into classrooms, some uncomfortably close to toilets. The exercise area is woefully inadequate and now the school must place a prefab in the playground due to a shortage of space.
“It’s a ridiculous situation, the worst I’ve ever seen, and the children are being deprived,” said Mr Ó Sé. “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 and it’s unacceptable. It’s wrong and a new school is long overdue.”
Local GPs have also expressed concern about the situation.
Vivienne Dempsey, chairwoman of the action group, said the aim of the protest is to send a clear signal to Jan O’Sullivan, the education minister, that the people of Fermoy support their call.
The march will begin outside the school at MacCurtain St and continue down to Patrick St. It will then double back to Pearse Square where principal Seán McGearailt and Mr Ó Sé will address the crowd.
Irish Examiner
