Campaign for new building for Mayo primary school gathers momentum

A well-attended public meeting organised by Castlebar Educate Together National School last night heard testimonies from staff, parents and pupils of their experiences of school life in a three-campus configuration.

Dáil deputies, local councillors and election candidates listened to first-hand accounts of how the school’s three unsuitable buildings are negatively impacting on the children’s education and well-being.

The buildings were declared unfit for purpose in a school commissioned OMD Design, consultant engineers, report earlier this year.

Sixth-class pupil Sarah Scott described how due to the lack of play areas at each campus site, children had to play in a litter filled alleyway and a car park.

Sarah spoke of the excitement when the Minister for Education, Norma Foley visited the school in September 2022 and promised the children a new school building and of the subsequent disappointment when that promise was not progressed.

Despite the setbacks, Sarah vowed that the school’s campaign would continue.

School principal Sarah Calvey thanked those in attendance for their continued support and reinforced the school's belief that a site does exist in the town that is ready to be purchased.

Addressing the meeting, Minister Alan Dillon pledged to return to the school’s board of management within seven days with arrangements for a meeting between the school and Education Minister Norma Foley.

Mayo Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh, in supporting the school’s campaign, said: “The minister must keep her promise to the children of Castlebar Educate Together.

"I will be doing everything in my power to hold her and the government to account.

"It is inexcusable to have a brilliant school like this being messed around. We need action now to purchase the site and get on with building this school. We will accept nothing less.

"It was a joy to attend last night's meeting with parents, teachers and children. I commend them for their resilience, but this should not be necessary in 2024 in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.”