Attempts to cluster small schools meets with strong opposition [southernstar.ie]
- Published: 26 March 2011
A NUMBER of small schools in West Cork say they will resist ‘by whatever means necessary’ any attempt by the Department of Education to close them down.
The newly-appointed Minister for Education, Mr Ruairi Quinn TD, recently announced that the government is to review the feasibility of rural schools that have less than fifty pupils.
Fianna Fáil county councillor, Mr Christopher O’Sullivan, has estimated that the review could negatively impact on as many as twenty-five schools in the region and over 700 pupils.
Speaking to The Southern Star on Tuesday morning, he said: ‘The review shows a complete disregard for the importance of small rural schools.
‘Those of us familiar with the realities of rural living understand that as well as achieving high standards of education, these schools are at the heart of our rural communities.
Full Story: www.southernstar.ie
