State funds to end school’s ‘Dickensian’ conditions

Michael O’Donnell had begun to despair of it ever happening, but yesterday the principal of Glenville National School in north Cork was breathing a sigh of relief that, after years of waiting, tortuous planning applications and frustrating delays, the Government had finally agreed to fund the building of a new school.

He could hardly resist an “it’s about time” comment when told the news that his school is to be included in the national stimulus programme for school projects but his over-riding reaction was one of delight.

“We have spent the last six years fluting around with the Department of Education and it has been hugely frustrating, but this is fantastic news.”

Mindful, though, of departmental obfuscation surrounding the school’s application, he is hesitant to acknowledge that the long wait is over.

“I’ll believe it when I see the first block laid,” joked O’Donnell who has been to the forefront of a long campaign to replace the overcrowded and dingy building that houses more than 160 students.

Little over a year ago, he, along with parents and the school board, were lamenting the fact that Education Minister Ruairi Quinn had excluded Glenville from his five-year school construction plan.

Two of the classrooms at Glenville are in a 1955 building so damp that a dehumidifier is constantly running in the corridor. A “temporary” three-room extension was added to the village school in 1968 but is still in use, along with two prefab classrooms.

Now that the go-ahead has finally been given and, with planning already obtained, work can begin on a new school within months.

“We are clear with planning. We have our design team now drawing up tender documents and, all going well, we will be ready to go to tender in early July. The tenders are three months so that should mean that we can start around Christmas, or before that,” said Mr O’Donnell.

Oliver Manley, chairman of the board of management, was equally pleased: “This is great news for the school community.

“It marks a major step forward after a wait of many years. Hopefully, this much-needed building can now be constructed speedily.”

He thanked all those who had worked to ensure that the project went ahead.

The announcement was also welcomed by Minister of State Sean Sherlock, Labour TD for Cork East.

“I am delighted for Glenville National School. They were surviving in Dickensian conditions and no school is more deserving of this.”