New schools needed, board advises

A NUMBER of new schools and upgrades to existing schools in north Kerry are recommended in a major Department of Education plan published yesterday.

The department’s Commission on School Accommodation recommended developments at Tralee’s five second level schools, including a possible new building for Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí.

It is also suggested that new enrolments be encouraged by Co Kerry VEC for Tralee Community College, which only has about half its 800 student capacity on roll. Extensions are also recommended for the CBS boys’ and Presentation girls’ secondary schools to allow for slight enrolment increases, while Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, should be upgraded to cater for its current 1,160 students.

The commission’s North Kerry Area Development Plan, published by Education Minister Mary Hanafin, will be the basis on which capital funding decisions for the area will be made up to 2011 and possibly beyond.

It recognised the congestion in St John’s Parochial School in Tralee, and recommended the board applied for funding for extra accommodation.

The plan strongly recommended the provision of a co-educational second level school for 800 students in Listowel, which appears to suggest amalgamating St Michael’s College for boys and the Presentation Secondary girls’ school.