Opening of new mayo school deferred for a year under duress

EDUCATE Together, the patron body of the growing network of schools in Ireland, has announced 'with deep regret' that its plans to open a new primary school in Castlebar with 10 pupils on September 1 are being deferred for a year.  

A statement issued by the organisation this evening said: 'This is a severe blow to the divestment process.

'Until today Educate Together was prepared to proceed to open Castlebar ETNS on September 1, 2015, in temporary accommodation.

'However, Educate Together was issued with an ultimatum by the Department of Education and Skills: either it must accept as permanent accommodation a building that is inaccessible, not viable in the long term, and does not serve the needs of the communities it is meant to serve; or it must postpone the opening of the school.

'The overwhelming majority of parents have told us that they will not send their children to Castlebar ETNS if it means accepting that the Burren is their ultimate intended school premises.

'Therefore, given the limited options available to us, we have decided under duress to defer the opening of Castlebar ETNS until 2016 pending a full review of the accommodation options and possibilities for the school in a more central location in the Castlebar area for 2016.

'The State’s commitment to address the serious violation of rights of children and parents is now called into question. An Educate Together National School in Castlebar would provide choice in an area in which there is no alternative school choice but 16 Catholic primary schools.

'The postponement of the school has resulted in serious legal ramifications in relation to commitments made to the Principal appointed and families of children enrolled.

'Educate Together calls on the department to demonstrate its commitment to provide real and viable choice in divestment areas.

'Proposals for divestment accommodation should not be restricted to obsolete, abandoned or derelict buildings but should be required to be situated in adequate and easily-accessible buildings such as that made available for Tuam ETNS (opening in 2015) that are fit-for-purpose and appropriate for young children beginning their school lives.

'It is unconscionable to demand that anxious parents of vulnerable four- and five-year-olds travel over 45 minutes to their first school that is neither warm nor welcoming with inadequate facilities for learning, play and recreation.

'It is outrageous to expect these children to learn and create positive memories of their first years at school in such conditions. Educate Together refuses to be party to such demands and expectations.

Paul Rowe CEO of Educate Together: 'I express Educate Together’s disappointment that the Department of Education and Skills could not better approach the constitutional and human rights of the children and parents involved.'