Students left in limbo as schools are full up

Date Published: 25-Aug-2011

By Dara Bradley

At least ten city children may be forced to repeat sixth class at primary school simply because Galway’s secondary schools are completely full, the Galway City Tribune has learned.

All of the children are boys and they and their families are this weekend in limbo not knowing if they will be able to progress into secondary school when term starts next week.

The ten boys may be forced to repeat sixth class; move to a school as far away as Oughterard or Athenry; or be schooled by a tutor at home.

The latter option would cost the Department of Education €108,000 per annum if the ten children aren’t accommodated in mainstream education, as home tuition costs €40 per hour; that’s in addition to the personal social and education development ‘cost’ to the children. Under law, children are entitled to free home-schooling if no school places are available.

One of the ten boys was already forced to repeat sixth class last year because there was no place for him in September 2010, and he is again without a place this year. Some schools have already opened but most are due back next week.

The boys’ rejection by schools has nothing to do with their educational standards, their ethnicity, nationality or background – it is simply because the schools have no places available, according to Paul McCavera, Galway City Education Welfare Officer with NEWB. Indeed, one of the boys is a ‘model’ student and hasn’t missed one day at his primary school.

“Most have all applied in the proper way and followed the proper procedures. They are all good boys but they are just unfortunate,” said Mr McCavera, who is contacting principals of secondary schools in the city all week to “beg and plead” on the boys’ behalf.

Mr McCavera said the lack of spaces in city schools occurs every September, but this year is particularly bad and he is “not optimistic” that the 10 boys will get places. The problem is most acute with boys because there are four all-girl schools in the city, but only two all-boy facilities.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.