Government ripping soul out of rural Ireland

FINE Gael and Labour have effectively sounded the death knell for many of our small rural schools through their decision to raise pupil/teacher ratio in these schools on a phased basis.

This planned cauterisation of the very life-blood of numerous tightly-knit communities has managed to slip virtually unnoticed under the radar, with even the INTO releasing a generally positive statement on staffing following the budget.

The stark reality is that the small schools in rural Ireland will be squeezed out of existence by stealth under the new teaching staff regulations. Small rural schools will be forced to close, some as soon as September 2012.