Extra teacher sought for Sligo national school as 42 pupils apply for 28 junior infant places

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Calls have been made for Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton to intervene in relation to staffing schedule issues at St Patrick’s NS, Calry as a result of the number of students seeking to enroll for next year, resulting in no school places being offered thus far for the next school year.

Cllr Thomas Walsh has called for an additional teacher to be made available to cope with the level of demand for the 2006/’07 academic year.

Outlining the situation that has led to him calling for intervention from the Department of Education, Cllr Thomas Walsh explained, “It follows the publication of the staffing schedule at the much later than usual time, on March 26. Each year the Department issues a schedule to schools outlining the staffing schedule for the following year. This is based on the enrolment numbers as of September of the previous academic year.”

Outlining how the increase in application from parents hoping to enroll their children in the school has exacerbated matters, Cllr Walsh said, “In St Patricks NS case, there are 28 student places advertised in their admissions policy for the new school year, September 2026. To date, there are 42 applications for junior infants. Indeed, this figure is likely to grow.

“The Department have advised that the Appeals Board will not be sitting until May 2026 leaving many families, students, staff and Board of Management in limbo. Currently no school places have been offered as a result.”

Cllr Walsh said St Patrick’s NS are requesting the provision of an additional teacher to ensure that class sizes remain manageable and that all pupils receive the standard of education they deserve.

Cllr Walsh said, “Common sense must prevail here, there is a spare classroom in the school, so the infrastructure is in place and no additional investment is required. An additional teacher is being sought which will allow the school to accommodate the number of students who have applied. I understand the nearest school is at capacity, so parents are rightly concerned.” Cllr Walsh highlighted the stress this is causing parents hoping to have their child start in the school in September saying, “The staffing process is causing unnecessary anxiety, particularly among parents of Junior Infants, who need certainty in order to plan for their child`s future. Early allocation of an additional teacher is essential to avoid this stress and uncertainty continuing. A failure to allocate an additional teacher would therefore have serious consequences not only for the school, but for the wider community.” Cllr Walsh confirmed he has made representations to the Department of Education saying, “I have contacted the Minister’s Office in recent days and have urged her to intervene. Common sense must prevail and an additional teacher allocation must be made to meet the needs of the Calry school community so that children can attend their local school.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.