TDs Eoin Ó Broin and Mark Ward have called on government to address the delays in school capital projects in Dublin Mid-West immediately. An unpublished school capacity survey found that three out of four parents are unable to secure spots at oversubscribed secondary schools.
Teachta Ó Broin said “Shortages of school places in this area are a result of poor planning and delays in providing school buildings by government. “They are also a direct failure of a broken modelling system, that focuses on capacity in existing schools, while failing to take demographic changes or decades of long under-resourcing of schools into account. “Students are being forced to travel far and wide to find an available school. “Some are being left with no other option but to get home tutoring as a result of enrolment pressure.
“Many parents and their children, who in some cases live within metres of their school, are not able to secure a school place for the next school year. “It is placing avoidable stress and pressure on families. “Families and students in Dublin Mid-West deserve better.
Teachta Ward said “Oversubscription of schools naturally equates to increased class sizes and we all know the detrimental impacts large class sizes can have on a child’s education, particularly those with special educational needs. “They create barriers to effective learning and hinder students’ academic and personal development. “Sinn Fein believe that smaller class sizes in Dublin Mid-West are vital as they can facilitate greater student participation and engagement.
“Smaller class size will help increase individual attention and make it harder for students, particularly those with SEN to get left behind, this in turn will lead to enhanced academic performance. “We also need to see the urgent delivery of school building projects in Dublin Mid-West. “This will benefit students in Lucan Community College, Divine Mercy, Griffeen Community School, Scoil Áine, Holy Family Community School, Coláiste Pobail Fóla, Gaelscoil Cluan Dolcán, Gaelscoil na Camóige, St. Thomas, Adamstown Castle Educate Together National School and Scoil Mochua. “Government must address this crisis immediately. Every child should have a school place come September.”
