Manulla NS crisis deepens

Manulla NS crisis deepens

Padraig Burns

THE crisis at Manulla National School deepened at the weekend when a teacher on sick leave was suspended. The teacher, who was scheduled to return to work on Monday last, declined to comment on the matter when contacted, but The Mayo News understands that the suspension relates to an investigation by the single manager of the school into a complaint lodged by another staff member at the school.
Brian Hynes, the single manager appointed by Archbishop Michael Neary following the dissolution of the Board of Management last year, declined to comment on the issue when asked to do so by this newspaper on Monday evening.
The development is the latest in a long line of controversies that have surrounded Manulla NS in the past year. Allegations of bullying not being properly dealt with; an over-reliance on substitute teachers, and communication issues within the school culminated in over 40 families withdrawing their children from the school ahead of the new school year last September.
Mr Hynes has submitted a report of his findings to the Department of Education, but, despite several requests by parents, the report has not yet been made public. Some parents, tired of not being able to view it, are currently requesting access to the report via the Freedom of Information Act.