School under review after mass exodus of pupils

The “learning environment” at a picturesque valley school is being examined following a dramatic drop in pupil numbers after parents enrolled their children at other schools.

The parents said they were forced to remove their children after an incident they brought to the attention of school management, its patron and the Department of Education, was not addressed to their satisfaction.

The two-teacher Black Valley school near the Gap of Dunloe in Kerry had expected to welcome 24 pupils in September. However, only six are enrolled at the school in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.

Two other pupils will emigrate soon, leaving two teachers and an occasional resource teacher for four pupils. The Department of Education last night said the school would not lose a teacher this year.

The HSE, meanwhile, has confirmed that it is conducting a review of an alleged incident of a fractious and argumentative nature that happened at the school last June. It is contacting the pupils about what they saw and heard on the occasion.

The board of management resigned following the incident. The Diocese of Kerry then appointed former INTO executive Seamus Long as a single manager of the school.

In a statement issued through the diocese, Mr Long said: “We assure parents and the community that regardless of pupil numbers, the Black Valley National School will strive at all times to provide a positive, safe, and harmonious teaching and learning environment.”

However, parent Gene Tangney said: “The school is 143 years old. Five generations of my family have attended this school. I did not want to remove my daughter. I do not want to see this school close but parents like my had no choice as we could not allow our children to continue to be upset.”