RIGHTVesta Mockeviciute, whose son Max doesn’t have a secondary school place.

Shortage of school places causing real concern for families

While his classmates are enjoying their last month of primary school, Vesta Mockeviciute’s son Max’s enjoyment is hampered by the fact that he doesn’t know where he will be going to secondary school in September.

Born and reared in Mullingar and a student in St Mary’s PS, Max applied to two schools in the town (St Finian’s College and Coláiste Mhuire), but was unsuccessful due to the high demand for places. He then submitted applications for places in St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, and Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan, both of which again were unsuccessful due to the number of applications.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Ms Mockeviciute said that her son is getting worried that he won’t have a school place in September.

“I am really disappointed and Max is as well. I never thought that it would be an issue. He was born here in Mullingar and went to school here from day one. Not being able to get a place in a secondary school is ridiculous, I think.

“He is stressing out because it is the end of May and he has no school – I don’t know what to do,” she said.

The concerned mother said that while Max is the only one is his class who doesn’t know where, or if, he will be going to school in the autumn term, she has heard that there are a number of children in the other sixth class at St Mary’s Primary School who also haven’t secured a place in secondary school.

“If there are no places, they should be thinking about opening another secondary school. There are a lot of people moving to Mullingar from Dublin and other places and there will be more kids.

“I don’t know what is going to happen in the future if there is a problem now. It is really worrying for me and for Max, as well.

“He is the only one from his class and he keeps asking why. I try to explain that it is not his fault.”

Ms Mockeviciute is going to contact Tusla this week to highlight her son’s predicament. She is also planning on applying to other local schools, such as Columba College and Castlepollard Community College.

“I don’t really want him to go outside of town. I don’t understand why a child born here and living here [can’t get a place]. This is his town. He wants to go to school with his friends.

“He thought that he would go to secondary school with his friends. I know they will separate into different classes but he would have had someone he knows. Now all of his friends have places, either in St Finian’s or CBS, but he hasn’t.”