Mayo school to protest outside Dáil
The school opened in temporary accommodation in Cavendish Lane in 2016 with 12 pupils and has continued to grow into a three-campus school with 124 pupils today.
Staff, pupils and parents of Castlebar Educate Together National School are to protest outside Dáil Éireann tomorrow (Wednesday) over the lack of progress on a new school building.
The school opened in temporary accommodation in Cavendish Lane in 2016 with 12 pupils and has continued to grow into a three-campus school with 124 pupils today.
After contact between the school board and the Department of Education, Minister Norma Foley visited the school in September 2022 and promised a new building would be provided. Potential sites were forwarded by the school board to the Department at the Minister's request and representatives of the school met the Minister in Leinster House last May. However, board chairperson Yvonne Coyne says there has been "no movement" by the Department since then.
"We are very frustrated that over two years on from the Minister’s promise, a new school site has not been identified," she said.
A school board commissioned report by OMD Design consultant engineers into the suitability of the school’s current buildings has reinforced the view of the board, staff and parents that the buildings are not, and have never been, fit for purpose. Staff at Castlebar Educate Together have raised the dire working conditions with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.
‘Families and staff in Educate Together have no choice but to escalate our campaign as it is clear the seriousness of our situation is not being heard by Minister Foley or her Department. Our school board, staff, children and parents will be bringing our voices to the gates of Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, 6th November. It is unfortunate that families have to go to such lengths to be heard, but we intend to continue our campaign until the Minister fulfils her promise’, said Ms Coyne.
