This article is from page 20 of the 2008-04-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
THE principal and chairman of Kilshanny primary school told the Department of Education that there were not enough children in north Clare to sustain a new school.
Outlining their opposition to the application by Mol an Oige for new school status, principal, Mary Mc- Namara and chairman of the school’s board of management, Fr Peter Rab- bitte stated that their school had 38 pupils on roll and this was made up of children within the catchment area and further afield, drawn by an inclusive enrolment policy that tran- scended social background, religious belief and ethnic origin.
“We feel there are not enough chil- dren in north Clare to sustain a new school as well as maintain current enrolment levels in existing schools. In an area like Kilshanny, which has already seen its shop and post office close, the school is a focal point for the community and provides children with a sense of identity, so important in a rapidly, changing society.
“We query the status of the pro- posed school — is it Steiner or mul- ti-denominational or both. We also query the involvement of the VEC in primary education.
Another objection lodged by Doolin National School principal, Michelle Moroney and board of management chairman, Fr Peter Rabbitte ex-
pressed concern that losing some pu- pils would lead to the loss of future positions within the school.
‘At present, we have 79 on our roll and in September 2007, we are hope- ful at having 80, which will lead to the creation of an extra mainstream position within our school. We are all teaching three class groupings, which is a serious challenge for any teacher. Hopefully, we will have a fourth mainstream teacher shortly which will make teaching more man- ageable for all. Should we lose just one pupil to Mol an Oige, we will not achieve this.”
Gaelscoil losaif Naofa in Moy also stated that since Mol an Oige com- menced operating on a voluntary basis, five children transferred from Gaelscoil Maigh during September PAU Oey
Two more pupils had since indicat- ed their intention to transfer and the school’s potential enrolment contin- ued to be affected negatively.
In a separate submission, school principal, Michael O Conchuir said there was a locally held percep- tion that there will be an emphasis on teaching through the medium of Irish. The name itself would suggest deh
‘As a Gaelscoil serving the same proposed catchment area, we feel that the establishment of a similar medium school is totally unneces- sary, he said.