This article is from page 21 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 21 JPG
THE boards of management of two small schools on the outskirts of En- nistymon expressed concern about the future viability and very exist- ence of their schools if recognition was granted to Mol an Oige.
A joint submission from the boards of management of Clouna National School, Furglan National School and Scoil Mhuire in Lahinch, claimed that the “educational needs of the area are already more than reason- ably met by the existing five co-edu- cational primary schools”.
“An additional primary school would merely duplicate the educa- tional services already being pro- vided and would seem ludicrous from a financial and administrative point of view. We seriously question the level of support that a sixth pri- mary school could enjoy in this rural area,’ the submission claims.
Lodged in December 2006, the
submissions claimed that the major- ity of those enrolled in Mol an Oige were not from within the community and this implied that there was broad satisfaction with the existing schools in the Lahinch-Ennistymon area. “We are concerned about the future viability and very existence of all the schools in our parish, particularly our two smaller outlying schools, should this new school receive departmental
recognition. It is amazing to see the Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) willing to act as patron for this new school. We question why the VEC is now taking an adminis- trative interest in the primary educa- tion sector and if their rules allow them to do so.
“An additional primary school would be a heavy draw on the avail- able school-going population. It seems irrational to consider funding another school in an area which is al- ready well served by five schools.”
In a separate submission Furglan primary school principal, Patricia Vaughan said she feels very strongly that the educational needs of the par- ish were already more than reason- ably met by the existing schools and an additional school would merely duplicate the services already being EOD sleleem