This article is from page 34 of the 2007-06-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
THE principal of an all-Irish pri- mary school in Shannon, which has held classes in prefab buildings for 23 years, has said the accomodation situation is no longer acceptable.
Gaelscoil Donncha Rua was one of 176 school inspection reports pub- lished nationally by the Department of Education and Science last week.
The report concluded that the school – which has 54 pupils – pro- vides a positive learning environ- ment, although a lack of storage space presents a clutter problem.
The report acknowledged that frustration has been expressed by those involved with the school, due to the lack of progress in relation to the provision of a permanent school Sea bCeae cen
“The board has been for many years in consultation with the build- ing section of the department in re- gard to the provision of a permanent school structure. Board members expressed considerable frustration at the lack of progress emanating from these discussions,” it stated.
It also pointed out that the absence of storage space and the limitations of the prefabricated classrooms have resulted, in certain instances, in the creation of a cluttered learning en- vironment. It advocated the use of free-standing and mobile furniture, which would facilitate the storage of materials.
The principal of the school, Ea- monn Bromell said he is still holding O)UI MN Ko) oles went-VilovelMmoleun(ennetce
‘Twenty-three years in prefab ac- commodation is not acceptable. We
received a verbal assurance from the department in 2000 that we would be given a permanent building. They did a u-turn the following year,” said Mr Bromell.
“The board of management is still hopeful the department will recon- sider,” he said.
The report included a number of key recommendations, including that the board of management become more proactive in terms of its leadership and management of the school; that all school plans and policy documen- tation be fully and comprehensively reviewed, while it also stressed that the need to provide administrative support be immediately addressed.
The report also noted that the school currently provides official documen- tation only in the English language and should do so in Irish, given that
itis an Irish medium school.
The school was founded in 1984 and after moving from home to home, it found a base, adjacent to the leisure centre, in 1990.
The school, which has three teach- ers – along with a shared special needs teacher – was destroyed by fire in 2000 and while its records were lost, it has, nevertheless, prevailed.
The report also suggested that the board of management should look at shaping the longer term future direction of the school. This would include planning for a permanent school building.
“The report was positive. It high- lighted that the standard of education in the school was high, with a fam- ily atmosphere and the children very happy,’ said the school principal.