Deputy Seán Crowe attends Irish Primary Principals’ Network Conference in Dublin

Sinn Féin’s Education Spokesperson Deputy Seán Crowe attended this week’s Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) conference in the City West Hotel,Saggart, County Dublin.

Commending the organisers of the two day event, Mr Crowe said the conference provided an opportunity for the 1100 plus participants to engage with the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn on a range of issues and hear the views of internationally recognised academics and educationalists.

Deputy Seán Crowe said: “It is clear that there is wide-spread concern amongst teachers that continuing cuts to the primary school sector is undermining their capacity to deliver the school curriculum and ensure the children under their care receive a decent education.

“There was a silent protest inside the conference centre by principals who are very concerned that budget changes to the staffing schedule will force many small rural schools to close.

“Minister Quinn needs to come to terms with this issue and it is wrong that the Government’s only priority seems to be to introduce cuts in order to reduce spending. Small schools are at the heart of many rural communities and alternatives to closures,agreed amalgamations or clustering and other solutions need to be considered such as the possibility of repopulating existing schools rather than forcing pupils down the route of constantly expanding larger schools.

“Forcing schools to amalgamate is bad enough, but to push ahead with this policy whenever little or no provision is being made by the Department to ensure new building are in place  is a recipe for disaster.

“Any evaluation of small schools cannot be based on cost alone. Other basic criteria such as the quality of the educational experience, ensuring stable enrolment trends, the financial position of a school, accessibility and maintaining strong links with the community must all be considered.”