DEPT OF EDUCATION FAIL TO PLAN FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL NEEDS DESPITE CENSUS DATA AND GROWING POPULATION DEMAND - Cllr Emer Tóibín
The reality of students having to travel to towns between 15KM and 25 km away from their home because there is no secondary school in Duleek is a perfect example of poor planning by the Department of Education.
That’s according to Aontú Cllr Emer Tóibín who says despite having all the “Data it needs at its fingertips, the Dept of Education seems to be crippled with a complete lack of foresight and critical forward-planning”.
Cllr Tóibín says
“It’s not rocket science as the Census figures tell them all they need to know. The data in the Census Figures shows the population growth and the needs of this population. There isn't a secondary school in Meath that isn't already over-subscribed for school places. I find it incredible that the Department of Education seems unable to grasp this most rudimental of information”.
“Meanwhile, people’s lives are so unnecessarily adversely impacted by this inadequate planning and poor management”.
“Young students have to get up earlier and earlier to get to schools, located at significant distance from their home. They leave behind friends they have made at primary school, and are further affected by living far from their new post-primary school friends. This can lead to many students feeling isolated and suffering from a loss of peer support and camaraderie”.
“I am continuing to lobby the Minister for Education to provide a secondary school to serve the needs of children in the Duleek/Bellewstown area. There are over 700 children primary school-going children in Duleek alone. Add to this number, the students attending feeder schools in Knockcommon, Julianstown, Cushinstown, Mount Hanover and Donore. Furthermore, additional housing in coming on stream in Duleek and its environs”.
“One parent told me that this government appears to act in a reactive manner to the public services needs of the population - there seems to be an absence of proactive or forward planning and this is so frustrating. Parents and communities have to lobby and campaign for years before the powers-that-be take note that there are gaping holes in the provision of public services”.
“Obviously I’m not suggesting that secondary schools are built in every town in Meath, however,
where demand for a secondary school is clear, it makes no sense to have 100s and 100s of students bussed and driven to other towns in Meath East to access secondary school education”.
