GROUNDHOG DAY FOR CASTLEKNOCK SCHOOLCHILDREN AS NO ROOM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

GROUNDHOG DAY FOR CASTLEKNOCK SCHOOLCHILDREN AS NO ROOM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS - TROY

The vexed issue of a lack of school places for young people entering secondary school in D15 needs to be examined in an imaginative way in a bid to solve the situation.

That’s according to Aontú Cllr Ellen Troy who says

“The situation regarding the lack of school places is a constant in the yearly calendar and causes untold worry and stress for students and parents alike. It’s like groundhog day, the same issue comes up year after year, but nothing changes. I am really exercised about this issue as there seems to be absolutely no will whatsoever to try and get to grips with it for once and for all. We’ve got a big problem, and I can’t understand how the Department of Education can’t look at the CSO figures for instance and deduce just how places are needed in any given year”.

“Castleknock Community College for example is an excellent school and students are very eager to get in there but the spaces are just not there”.

“I’d like to see some examination or thought being given to students being offered places in the schools on the basis of where they live for example and their proximity to the school. This would be a fair and sensible system. If students are procuring places in secondary schools on the basis of their siblings having attended, this puts only children and those who are the eldest in their families at a severe disadvantage. It’s not equitable at all. Surely a Government Department that has huge resources can put their heads together and come up with a solution that actually works”.

“Staying local would have a multitude of benefits. Furthermore, at a time when people are more and more conscious of their carbon footprint and cutting out unnecessary journeys, it would be of benefit to the environment too and would cut down on traffic congestion”.

“I believe that the Minister for Education should convene a meeting now with all elected representatives in our area in a bid to sort out this problem for next year at least as it simply cannot be allowed to cause such distress year after year”.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.