O'Keeffe urged to protect funds for schools [Irish Examiner]
- Published: 24 February 2009
Source: Irish Examiner
By Niall Murray
THE need to protect funding for schools was pressed on Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe when he opened an extension at a Cork school yesterday.
The pupils, staff and parents of Gaelscoil Thomáis Dáibhís in Mallow expressed their delight with the five-room extension, which was mostly funded by a devolved grant of €300,000 from the Department of Education. They now have two extra classrooms, a resource teaching room, computer room and library for the school's 238 pupils.
The children of the north Cork school entertained the minister and other guests with poetry, music and prayers at yesterday's official opening ceremony.
Principal Dónal Ó Murchú said the entire school community was honoured that Mr O'Keeffe was the first education minister to visit, since its foundation in 1985. The school started life in prefabs at the parish centre, then occupied another premises before moving to its existing building in 2000.
"Minister, it's terrific having you here today. We're all disappointed with the education cuts but we hope you and the Government can solve the economic problems in this country and protect the education system, so we can give the boys and girls here every chance to get the best results from their education," Mr Ó Murchú said.
He joked as the microphone stand was raised after a pupil performance and before Mr O'Keeffe addressed the opening, that while there might be others present who might want to bring the minister to his knees, he was not going to do it.
"I'm still standing," Mr O'Keeffe quipped as he stood up to speak. He commended the school community's efforts on their building project and for their proud record in sports and other achievements.
Carmel O'Callaghan, chairwoman of the parents' association that helped raise the €60,000 extra needed to provide the computer room and library, suggested the minister make decisions on where education savings should be made by talking to the grassroots and not just the "grey suits".
"Sometimes it's not possible to really get what's happening on the ground unless you speak to the people in the classroom," she said.
The school board chairperson Máire Uí Bhriain said Gaelscoil Thomáis Dáibhís could teach Mr O'Keeffe plenty about value for money, having built five rooms with the money it received for just three, combined with the money raised locally.
