Parteen school secures permanent classrooms

GROWING dissatisfaction with the high number of prefabricated buildings at Parteen National School eased this week after Education Minister Ruairi Quinn approved new permanent classrooms for the school.

Last September, Clare County Council gave planning permission for a fifth prefab at the school, raising the issue of the over-reliance on temporary accommodation to deal with increasing numbers.
Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan welcomed the announcement from the minister who confirmed the new classrooms will replace the existing prefabs.
“I know how hard the staff, parents and management committee of the school have worked to achieve this progress and I commend their tenacity and ambition.
“I’ve raised this issue with my Cabinet colleague, Ruairi Quinn, and he knows only too well the difference that permanent classrooms will make to the pupils in the school,” she said.
Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald added the move is to be welcomed as pupils should not be forced to endure inclement weather conditions during the winter when they had to walk between prefabs as all classrooms should be accommodated under the one roof.
He said it is important pupils are taught in a comfortable environment and noted prefabs are not a long-term solution for primary schools.
When the latest prefab is provided, it is estimated just under half of the overall accommodation will be provided in prefab accommodation.
With 340 students enrolling last September, the school had effectively doubled in size over the last five years.
While single classes were previously the norm, now the school has two double classes for junior infants, senior infants and first class.  
The development of new housing estates in Ardnacrusha had brought a lot of new people into the area and this had resulted in a dramatic increase in the numbers of pupils attending Parteen National School.
The school has 15 teachers including resource and learning support teachers under the direction of new principal, Phil Lavin, who has replaced the former principal, Mary McNiece, who has now retired.
Clare County Council granted Parteen National School board of management planning permission to erect a portacabin consisting of a classroom, pupil toilets and lobby linking to similar type existing units on site and all other ancillary site works at the school subject to four conditions last September.
The council put a five-year time limit on the permission and after this time the portacabin has to be removed and the site reinstated to its original condition unless an extension of duration is granted by a planning authority.