Schools around the corner won't ever be the same [independent.ie]
- Published: 21 April 2009
Source: independent.ie
By EIMEAR NI BHRAONAIN
Tuesday April 21 2009
THE construction of a new state-of-the-art school building has commenced under the Department of Education's Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen attended Gallen Community School in Ferbane, Co Offaly yesterday to mark the start of construction work on the new building.
Gallen Community School is part of the first batch of schools being built under the PPP model.
The school is an amalgamation of St Joseph and St Saran's Secondary School and Ferbane Community College.
Mr Cowen said the start of work on the site marked an "important new chapter" in the story of the school.
When finished, the building will accommodate 450 students and facilities will include a multimedia laboratory, library, science labs and a gym.
Mr Cowen encouraged students to "take an interest in science and maths". "We're working to build a new 'smart economy' as the basis for our future prosperity and this is critically dependent on a strong supply of scientists, engineers and technicians," he said.
- EIMEAR NI BHRAONAIN
