This article is from page 23 of the 2009-02-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
PARENTS of children attending Seamount College in Kinvara are calling on Education Minister, Batt O Keeffe, to clarify the future of the school before growing speculation causes a major drop in new enrol- ments.
Following the Governments deci- sion to delay the construction of a new school for Seamount earlier this month – fears have been growing that the whole project could be put in jeopardy.
After protracted discussions in 2007 the Sisters of Mercy, who own the current school building and premises, agreed to forgo closing the school until a facility was construct- ed by the Government.
The first condition on this decision however, was that the school be built without delay.
According to RESCUE, the parents eroup campaigning for the school, clarification is required urgently.
“The people of Kinvara have been waiting patiently for nearly two years since Ministers Noel Treacey and Tony Killeen stood on the stage in Seamount College and promised that Kinvara would have a new co-ed school – they told the assembled stu- dents, teachers and parents that the problem was over,’ said a RESCUE spokesperson.
“Tt is being publicly speculated that the Department of Education have appointed officials to visit Kinvara this month to inspect sites already identified for the new school, nego- tiations are at an advanced stage be- tween the Department and the Mercy
Sisters to keep Seamount College open until the new co-ed school is ready.
“These negotiations may include the lease or purchase of the existing school buildings by the department to allow the school to be developed to a co-educational model.”
RESCUE claim that the Depart- ment of Education have been unable to answer any of their questions in relation to the school’s future.
“The provision of a co-ed school in Kinvara was approved on the strength of the department’s own report of January 2008. RESCUE
questions whether the minister has ever read this report,” continued the spokesperson.
‘Before the last election, the Green Party, now partners in Government, made much noise about the provision for education in their 50 point plan. They made a specific commitment,
at national level, to second level edu- cation in Kinvara.”’