Transport changes could affect Gort pupil numbers

GORT Community School could lose up to one quarter of its pupil numbers if changes to school transport rules come into effect.

The Parents’ Association of Gort Community School is holding a public meeting next week to discuss the changes scheduled to come into effect in September.
On Tuesday, parents will meet for the second time to discuss the changes, which will mean that pupils availing of the school transport scheme will only be entitled to transport to the school nearest to them.
At the last meeting, which took place in December, parents decided to contact Minister Seán Haughey to reverse the decision of May 2010 regarding school transport in the Kinvara and Gort area and to continue with the existing school transport arrangements in the shared catchment area for an additional year, 2011-12.
The association contacted Minister Haughey but was unable to obtain a meeting or a positive response.
The parents’ association objects to the Government’s decision to withdraw school transport services to children from New Quay, Doorus, Kinvara, Northampton, Ballinderreen and Kiltiernan, who wish to go to secondary school in Gort.
Effectively, the new rule means young people from these areas, if they are the required distance from Kinvara, will be entitled to school transport to Seamount College, which became co-educational back in September, but not to Gort Community School.
However, Gort Community School Parents’ Association is keen to point out that its objection to the new transport arrangement is not motivated by interschool competitiveness but instead by practical concerns.
“This is not a one school versus the other issue, it is an issue for the whole area and that is why we are holding a public meeting. Both schools are excellent but when this change comes into effect in September, due to loss of numbers in Gort, teachers will lose their jobs and subject choices for children will decrease.
“Equally, Seamount has not got the capacity to facilitate the numbers. When the new school is built in Kinvara, this will not be an issue. Children only have one shot at their education, so the children caught in the interim period will lose out,” a representative of Gort Community School Parents’ Association told The Clare Champion.
Indeed at December’s meeting the principal of the 800-pupil school, Denis Corry, pointed out that currently, one quarter of the pupil population in Gort Community School comes from the areas that will be affected by the school transport changes.
December’s meeting was attended by about 50 people, including parents of existing pupils, parents of prospective pupils, teachers and staff at the school and school bus transport providers.
Next Tuesday’s public meeting will be held at 8pm in Gort Community School to further discuss the impending changes. All are welcome to attend.