Job losses feared for Sligo Gaelscoil
October 18, 2011
Two jobs are set to be lost in Sligo Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré due to a decision of the Department of Education and Skills to end the favourable pupil-teacher ratio which applied to small Gaelscoileanna.
The school has been located in temporary accommodation since it was founded in 1996 and a health and safety report carried out in 2009 revealed that the classrooms were inadequate and overcrowded for the 177 students enrolled in the school
Principal Micheal Ó Broin will have to return to the classroom as a result of the decision and he says that there the decision raises serious questions as to the the Department of Education’s commitment to Irish medium education.
“Not only are gaelscoileanna unjustly suffering the effects of unsuitable accommodation and reduced supports; we are now stretched to breaking point by increased pressure on diminished resources”, he said.
He believes that is little or no educational or linguistic basis for the decision and that it goes against the stated role for Gaelscoileanna in the government’s 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language.
The school held an open day today to highlight the impact of the changes to the pupil-teacher ratio and has called on Minister Ruairí Quinn to reconsider the decision.
©Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
