Half of South Kerry schools may lose teacher

In the face of serious concerns about the future of primary schools in south Kerry — where half the schools are set to lose a teacher — a public meeting on the issue has been attended by around 500 people in Caherciveen.

Due to national changes to the pupil-teacher ratios, up to six teaching posts could be lost in the region by next year, according to the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.

Of the 12 schools in the area, there are three, two-teacher schools and the INTO warned there will soon be 10 two-teacher schools.

The south Kerry INTO branch has outlined the urgency of the situation to Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan, who is expected to publish her decision on teacher retention levels shortly.

“Saving rural schools is not just about fighting against the loss of teachers — it’s a core issue for communities and for rural Ireland. I don’t think people realise how serious the situation is,” said branch chairman Michael O’Sullivan.

“With emigration on the rise across south Kerry, it is increasingly difficult for schools here to retain their current level of teachers and this will reach a crisis point over the next two years.”

He called for retention levels to be returned to 2010 levels.

Public representatives were told at the INTO-organised meeting, on Monday night, that the loss of teachers in rural schools will lead to a further decline in rural communities, where the reported economic recovery had yet to be felt.

INTO president Sean McMahon said Government’s policy on small rural schools is fundamentally flawed, misguided and devoid of planning. What is needed is a coherent, long-term and resourced strategy for sustainable schools into the future, he added.

“Instead, government policy appears to want to cut staffing to the point where schools are forced to close or amalgamate leaving children and parents to deal with the consequences. It is a policy being implemented with no thought for the people affected by it.”

He said decisions about small schools in rural communities should be about ensuring the best education for pupils regardless of location.

Mr McMahon said the INTO, the Department of Education, school management and the union had to engage with local communities to find a fair policy on sustainable, viable small schools.