Closure of schools a ‘blind attack’ - Calleary

Closure of schools a ‘blind attack’ - Calleary


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

Mayo Fianna FΡil Deputy Dara Calleary has said any attempt to force the amalgamation of small schools in Co Mayo must be resisted. Calleary fears that more than 1,000 schools across the country with under 80 pupils or three teachers could face closure.
“It has been clear for some time that the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has an agenda to force the amalgamation of small rural schools. My fear is that this will result in a number of small schools here in Mayo being forced to close and some communities in this region will inevitably lose their local school entirely.”
The Fianna Faíl Deputy described the possible closures as a ‘blind attack on small schools’ and said that in the majority of cases schools were providing excellent standards of education and playing a central role in community life.
“I have spoken to many local teachers and parents who are fearful that their school will soon be forced to close and amalgamate with a larger school in another community,” he said.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the possibility of closures, Principal of Partry NS, Tom Byrne said the Government’s policy was continuing to remain consistent with further rural services being taken away and downgraded.
“In the future when we look back at social history and the demise of rural Ireland it will come back to the closure of schools, garda stations and post offices. At the end of the day it’s about children and the welfare of the state in the future and with education you create active citizens. You cannot take education away,” stated Mr Byrne.
Referring to the upcoming value for money review on small schools, Deputy Calleary said he was urging Ministers, including An Taoiseach and Minister Ring to recognise that schools cannot be judged on value alone.
The local school is at the heart of community life and removing it will have enormous long-term consequences for the community as a whole,” concluded Calleary.

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