Glangevlin Community Meet to fight for National School

West Cavan Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has congratulated
the people of Glangevlin on attending in such large numbers at a
special meeting to discuss the  implications of Government Cuts
Curravagh National School and on small primary schools.
‘The gathering of parents, Board of Management members and the wider
community in Glan Hall gives a very clear message that this community
is determined to fight for Curravagh National School. I met with
parents and member of the Board of Management last Tuesday evening and
Brendan Smith TD, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education agreed to come
to Glangevlin for the meeting today. A number of other public
representatives attended including Cllr. Peter McVitty.’
Small Rural Schools are facing an uncertain future as a result of
major changes to the staffing schedule, increasing the pupil teacher
ratio and making it more and more difficult for small schools to
survive. In addition the Capitation Grant for these schools has been
severely cut also.
‘The local school is at the very heart of the community. It is where
children learn a sense of place, the customs of the area, their
neighbours. It is more than simply a place for learning in the
academic sense. In addition the closure of small schools will place
demands on other schools for more accommodation and increased
transportation cost. It will const the Government more money. Children
in areas such as Glangevlin already spend over a hour in the bus every
morning and evening. Any further travel would be unacceptable.’
Pointing to the huge capital investment in recent years,  Councillor
Feeley high-lighted that in November 2009, then Minister for
Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD officially opened the renovated
Curravagh NS after significant refurbishment.
‘I believed the money spend on Curravagh NS was money well spent, to
put in place the very best facilities children of this area now and
for the future.  These Government Policies look set to waste that
investment in Curravagh and similar investment in in schools right
across this region.’
Referring to a recent Motion he put before Cavan County Council,
Councillor Feeley highlighted that Fine Gael Councillors fully
supported the retention of rural schools.
‘On Wednesday evening a busload will travel from Glangevlin to Dublin
to join communities from across Ireland to protest in favour of
Schools and demand support for a motion before Dáil Eireann on the day
calling on the Government to reverse the cuts. The time for soft words
from the Government, it is time their Fine Gael TDs and Senators stood
up for Rural Ireland and fight for our Rural Schools. I call on as
many people as possible to make the effort and turn out in large
numbers.’