Reservations over location for new castlebar educate together school
LOCAL delight amongst parents that Castlebar has been chosen as one of four locations nationwide for a new multi-denominational primary school has been tempered by the fact that the centre is likely to be located in a rural location some four to five miles from the town, writes Tom Shiel.
Burren National School on the Windy Gap (Bofeenaun) road, a former primary school which has been closed for many years, has been handed over free gratis by the Archdiocese of Tuam for the new centre.
However, a major investment will be required to bring the disused building up to the standard of a modern primary school and there is also the question of getting pupils – most of whom will be from the urban Castlebar area – to classes.
Sinn Féin Councillor Therese Ruane wholeheartedly welcomed the Minister for Education’s announcement that Castlebar is to get the school. “It’s vitally important that greater diversity in society is reflected in our educational centres,” she stated.
Councillor Ruane continued: “However, it’s a little surprising that there has been little or no consultation on the matter with the local (Burren) community. It will take a huge investment to bring the building up to the standard of a primary school.
“There’s also the fact the majority of pupils will come from an urban area. I’m not convinced that Burren is a suitable location for the school. It wouldn’t make sense for parents to have to make a return journey of between eight to 10 miles every day.”
Killala-based Jarlath Munnelly, of Educate Together, under whose patronage the Castlebar school will operate, said structural work will have be undertaken on the building to bring it up to standard for a primary school.
When asked about the proposed location of the school, Mr. Munnelly, a member of Mayo County Council, said: “That’s something we will have to talk to parents about to get their views on it.”
It is planned to have the Educate Together school, wherever its located, up and running up by the start of the new school year in September.