2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Leitrim national school pupils forced to cross busy road and learn in converted toilets amid new school plea
For over a decade, the parents association, staff and the school community have been calling for a new school building on a single campus to replace the current Scoil Mhuire.
The need for the new school on a green field site emerged as the girls and boys national school in Carrick on Shannon merged in 2013. However, the school remains on two campuses despite the school population doubling in that time.
Since the amalgamation, the school has fallen into a state of disrepair and campaigners say not a single classroom is fit for purpose.
Despite the poor conditions, no commitment has ever been given by the Department of Education for a new school building.
Recently, John Campion Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, visited the school and met with some members of the New School Committee.
Mr Davey saw first hand the conditions within the school and said the facilities within each building are 'severely inadequate', with a technical report from the Department of Education issued several years ago calling the school building "sub-standard".
Mr Davey said 'I had the privilege of being shown around the two campus Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Shannon, by members of the staff and parent body.
'I had been asked to attend by Senator Nessa Cosgrove to see how she could help with their campaign for a new school building.
'The most glaring issue is immediately evident.
"The school is spread across two different campuses, the former girls school and the former boys school.
"I heard how Scoil Mhuire had been one of the earlier proponents of amalgamations, they embraced the change enthusiastically, yet they still exist across two campuses.
'Apart from the damage this does to a sense of a school identity, it is a hazard for children crossing roads to go from one school to the other.
'It also results in the ridiculous situation of many parents dropping off and collecting children from each campus every day for multiple years,' said Mr Davey.
Mr Davey observed the school has 'gone out of its way' to cater for the increased number of students but building a new school is the 'logical thing to do'.
'The PE Hall is tiny, for the numbers of children attending, having been subdivided to provide additional learning spaces.
"The school has gone out of its way to welcome increased numbers of children from many different cultures and backgrounds many of these have language needs.
'As in all schools, there are more children with additional needs, which must be met.
'I saw converted corridors, store rooms and even rooms which had formerly housed toilets and hand washing facilities converted into Special Education Needs classrooms.
'The two campuses dating from 1953 and 1963 must be a nightmare to heat in winter, and to keep cool in a hot summer.
"The savings on energy costs alone, never mind the environmental impact, must make construction of a new school the logical thing to do.
'Despite the very real challenges faced by the school, the commitment which the school Principal, Staff and Parent body show to the children is phenomenal,' said Mr Davey.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that funding was granted to provide a two mainstream classroom extension for Scoil Mhuire.
While the funding was welcomed, it does not provide a long term solution.
"While the promise of two new modular classrooms over the summer is welcome, in terms of learning space, it does nothing to address the core issues highlighted, and in fact will further reduce the amount of outdoor space available for play,' said Mr Davey.
"As an Early Years Educator, I am fully aware of the importance of having outdoor space for physical activity and play.
"It is a fundamental part of a child's holistic development, particularly their physical, emotional and social development.
'The school community are not campaigning for a new school to have a shiny new building to work from.
"They are doing it because they feel a real bond with the children and families they educate and care for.
'Inclusive practice is at the heart of everything that is done at Scoil Mhuire.
"The passion of the teachers and the happiness of the children to be at school is written all over them,' said Mr Davey.
Leitrim County Council has identified a suitable greenfield site close to the current school building and the school are happy with the proposed site.
Mr Davey continued, 'All we need now is for the Government to commit to funding the new building.
"Senator Cosgrove has committed to highlighting the need for a new school building, which has the support of all four local TDs, and will be hoping to raise the matter personally with the Minister for Education before the summer recess.
'Carrick-on-Shannon is the County Town of Leitrim, it is a fast growing town and it deserves a National School which reflects its developing and changing needs,' said Mr Davey.
A spokesperson for the school said, 'On Tuesday, June 17th, John Davey, assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove, met with some members of the New School Committee.
2The meeting went well, and John assured us he would pass on all information to Senator Nessa Cosgrove.
'We call on all politicians and members of the wider community to put pressure wherever they can to help us secure a new school for Carrick-on-Shannon.'
