Mayo Fine Gael TDs vote in favour of primary school cuts - Party reps believes ‘an acceptable solution can be found’ in rural areas

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 10:56

THREE Mayo Fine Gael TDs have voted in favour of legislation seeking to cut the number of teaching posts in rural primary schools from next September.

Deputy Michael Ring, Deputy John O’Mahony and Deputy Michelle Mulherin opposed a Fianna Fáil motion in Dáil Éireann condemning the government for introducing changes to the staffing levels in schools with five teachers or less.

Speaking during the debate, Deputy O’Mahony said he acknowledged the uncertainty and doubt among many parents and children in rural Ireland.

He stated: “I have been contacted by parents who think their schools will either close or lose teachers in the next few weeks.

“There has been some winding up of the issue but it is important that we peel away to find the reality and deal with it in a constructive manner.

“I thank the parents and teachers who have engaged and put forward very reasoned and reasonable proposals on how this should be dealt with because that allowed Fine Gael TDs to bring those arguments to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

“What is important is that flexibility is shown in dealing with this issue. I support the argument in respect retrospective numbers. In other words, the number of pupils last September should not determine the number of teachers next September.

“There should be a real appeals system and not one where nothing changes regardless of the situation. That is very important. One size does not fit all. Amalgamations are not possible in many areas.

“It is important we get an acceptable solution which will leave rural schools at the heart of our communities for many years to come.”

Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary said there is a threat to the existence of many of rural schools because of the measures being introduced.

“A total of 47 per cent of the 3,200 primary schools in the state have five teachers or fewer so it is evident the huge impact the staffing schedules will have on small rural schools.

“These changes represent a dramatic increase. For example a Gaeltacht school will now need 83 pupils instead of 76 pupils in order to qualify for four teachers next September.

“The new retention figures published by the department are inequitable. A large school with 12 teachers needs another 28 pupils in order to become a 13-teacher school.  “However, for a two-teacher school, if it wants to become a three-teacher school this September, it will need an additional 37 pupils while a three-teacher school looking to become a four-teacher school will need an additional 30 pupils.

“Why are small schools punished in comparison to larger schools?  These new retention figures will, in fact, make it more difficult for the smaller schools to expand.

“A myth being propagated by the minister is that rural schools are in some way better off because they receive more favourable capitation and other grant payments.

“Yes they receive more favourable payments but that is a direct acknowledgement of the very specific challenges they face that larger, urban schools don’t.

“The minister is ignoring the fact that teachers in these schools face challenges not faced in larger schools. He is ignoring the fact that they must address not just mixed abilities but also mixed ages.

“He is ignoring the fact that they must all take a bigger leadership role because of the smaller staff numbers and the smaller and more dispersed communities in which they are based

“In fact this entire cut is based on an ignorance of the educational value of the economic and social value and the community importance of schools.”

Deputy Calleary said the minister should visit Glenmore N.S. in Crossmolina to learn how misguided his proposals are.

“This school, driven by a wonderful principal and a very vibrant parents association, has made major advances in recent years.

“It has updated its technology which has enabled them to take on the eTwinning project, which rewards for schools throughout Europe for the best use of technology in education. “That kind of initiative and opportunity is replicated in schools across this island, exactly the kind of initiative we need in the wider economy. But, sadly, the kind of initiative and opportunity that will be snuffed out by the cuts.”

Deputy Calleary also cited the example of Leenane.

He elaborated: “Due to its geographical location, the nearest school is 24 km away. Owing to the dispersal of the area, children from Leenane could end up going to four different schools, which would result in the division and the effective abandonment of young people in that community.”