New school is great – pity about the access

YOUR report (February 15) highlighting the unsafe entry to St Colman’s Boys’ National School in Macroom, Co Cork, prompts me to write about my recent visit to the school.

As a former English secondary school principal who recently returned to live in Ireland, I have taken a keen interest in the conditions of Irish schools.

In many cases I have been appalled at the poor conditions that I have encountered.

On the other hand, what I saw at St Colman’s really inspired me.

The new school buildings are among the best I have encountered and the view from the new site is truly spectacular. Congratulations are due to Fr Gabriel Burke and his school board of management who worked tirelessly for a state-of-the-art school with great facilities.

Parents rightly complain about the totally inadequate and unsafe daily climb that their children must endure before enjoying their new facilities.

Surely for the sake of the children the developer must honour his obligation to provide a safe entry to the new school as soon as possible.

Alan Whelan

Beaufort

Co Kerry