Threat to small rural schools criticised

EDUCATION Minister Rúairí Quinn has been requested to remove the cloud of uncertainty hanging over a number of small rural schools in North Clare, following budget cutbacks.
Ennistymon Electoral Area chairman, Councillor Michael Kelly has warned that key sporting organisations, such as the GAA, will suffer if Minister Quinn allows the closure of small rural schools by increasing the number of pupils required to maintain teachers.
Speaking at a recent Ennistymon Electoral Area meeting, Councillor Kelly requested Minister Quinn not to close small rural schools in areas such as Boston, Tubber and other areas of North Clare where the population has decreased. Following the closure of small shops, post offices and garda stations in rural areas in North Clare, Councillor Kelly said it is vital that all small schools are kept open to ensure the social fabric of a local community remains intact.
While it seems Tubber would have the required numbers to stay open in the near future, Councillor Kelly expressed grave concern about the impact of any cutbacks that would undermine small schools. He proposed that measures should be introduced to stem rural depopulation and emigration to ensure that local rural communities prosper.
Commenting on the very large classes in some urban schools, he said efforts should be made to address this issue by facilitating small schools to take extra pupils to relieve the pressure on some teachers. He was supported by Councillor Richard Nagle, who pointed out rural communities are under serious pressure as a result of the withdrawal of vital basic services over the last four or five years.
If rural schools are closed, he predicted this would be another blow to communities, would lead to further depopulation and would make it less attractive for people to live there.
Councillor Michael Hillery stressed these schools should be kept open to prevent further depopulation in the West of Ireland, while Councillor Bill Slattery also supported his colleagues’ efforts to prevent any rural school closures.