'Heartbreaking': Minister urged to help after Limerick school closure leaves 250 students 'in the dark'

Meanwhile, over 300 others have already paid fees to attend the language school, but have yet to arrive in the country

Student Campus on Limerick's Patrick Street closed down without notice, and while students haven’t had classes in weeks, some staff members have also not been paid since April. File picture

The Government has been asked to urgently intervene after more than 250 foreign students were "left in the dark" after their language school suddenly closed in Limerick City without explanation.

The Student Campus on Patrick Street closed down without notice, and while students haven’t had classes in weeks, some staff members have also not been paid since April.

On Friday, students and teachers will attend a protest in front of the school, in the hope of getting answers.

Approximately 250 students are currently enrolled in English courses and awaiting news, as they need to be transferred to remain eligible to live in Ireland. Meanwhile, over 300 others have already paid fees to attend the school, but have yet to arrive in the country.

The school hires over 30 staff members, from teachers to marketing professionals. It is understood some staff members are owed up to €5,000 in wages.

According to students and staff members, there is confusion around the ownership of the school, as several people appear to be involved in its management. Some students told the Irish Examiner they have been blocked by management on social media, and have not been able to contact them on Whatsapp.

As part of his MA course at the University of Limerick, Simon Deevy had been interning as a teacher at Student Campus for two months. He taught for the last time on June 16.

“I'm out-of-pocket, but not as much as the full-time teachers,” Mr Deevy told the Irish Examiner.

Speaking of the students, Mr Deezy said: “They're essentially worried about not getting their money back for the fees. But also, they need to be transferred to another school."

Like many, Mr Deevy will be attending Friday's protest, particularly in support of the students.

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see this happen to them ... they don't know what to do.”

In some recent correspondence, management has acknowledged that wages are owed to staff, but in others, they have noted the school is struggling financially.

One of the students, Monica Illanes from Chile, attended class for the last time on June 8. On that day, students were told some maintenance was taking place.

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Ms Illanes said Progressive College Network informed students that the school’s official closure “had been processed” following notification from the school’s upper management.

Senator Laura Harmon has called on the minister for further and higher education to urgently intervene.

“It is completely unacceptable that more than 200 international students have been left in the dark about their future through no fault of their own. 

"It is equally concerning to hear reports that staff have not been paid since April. They should not be left carrying the burden of failures by those responsible for running these schools,” she said.