Education changes good news for smaller schools says penrose

Small rural schools – which have for several years feared their days are numbered – have received positive news today from government, Dáil deputy Willie Penrose has announced.
The Ballynacargy Labour man revealed that from September, a school will require just 53 pupils to retain a third teacher (previously a roll of 56 students was required).
In addition, schools trying to retain a fourth teacher, will need just 83 pupils on their books, while formerly, 86 were required.
“Isolated one teacher schools, which are more than 8km from the nearest school, will also see an enhanced retention rate for a second teacher,” said Deputy Penrose.
The changes were announced today (Tuesday) by Education Minister, Jan O’Sullivan, and Deputy Penrose said the measures would go a long way to address concerns in areas such as Moyvore, Milltown and Boher, all of which would have smaller schools.
“This is an issue which was of great concern to small schools across Westmeath and Longford, and I have been working hard on their behalf to relay those views to Minister O’Sullivan,” he told the Westmeath Examiner.
“Indeed I committed myself during the course of public meetings to ensure the views of all of the stakeholders involved should be conveyed to the Minister.
“Today’s development clearly proves that the Minister and the Labour Party have not only listened to their concerns, but have actually taken them on board, and that Labour is fully committed to supporting rural Ireland.”  
“I also want to commend Minister O’Sullivan for taking her own position on this issue and not following the route proposed by Mary Coughlan, then Fianna Fail Education Minister, whose 2010 report on small schools caused an outrage.