Drogheda secondary schools at bursting point
SEVERE SHORTAGE OF PLACES CAUSING MAJOR CONCERNS
Greenhills Principal, Padraig Byrne admitted huge numbers were a problem this year.
Wednesday February 03 2010
THERE is a severe shortage of secondary school places in a number of local schools it has been revealed.
The recent population explosion means the demand for some secondary school places exceeds supply and many are unable to secure a place in their preferred secondary school.
Greenhills Principal, Padraig Byrne admitted numbers were a problem this year and said the school had accepted 180 students for the coming year to try and accommodate students from the local area.
' There are problems for parents and we are very sorry that we can't service all the needs of the applicants,' he said. 'We have taken 180 students for next year – we don't have room for 180 and we had originally decided to take 150 but when we saw the great need in the community we decided to take the extra numbers.'
Mr Byrne said the school was taking on all students from northside primary schools and those with sisters already in the school.
' We have serviced the schools on the northside and therefore we would hope that the schools on the southside of the Boyne would be serviced there,' he said.
Mr Byrne said the school has applied for six new classrooms from the Department of Education but this is still going through the planning process.
'We have costed it and the cost has come down greatly,' he said. 'I have submitted that recent costing to the department of education.'
The principal said that if the extra classrooms were given the go ahead they would only cater for the existing numbers in the school.
'However, if we did get the new classrooms we would take on 180 students again for the following year to try and facilitate the demand,' he said.
Numbers in Greenhills have increased from around 890 to approximately 937.
'That is another 40-50 extra students in the school and we are already using spaces that are not particularly suitable for class.'
He said because of the demand this year, it was felt the fairest thing to do was to accommodate students from the northside first but added this policy was not set in stone.
' The decision has been taken just for this year because we are so pushed for space,' explained Mr Byrne.
'The policy is up for revision and it could change next year. We certainly don't want to eliminate schools that have been loyal to us over the years.'
Local TD Fergus O'Dowd said he had been contacted by a number of local families who were unable to secure a place in either Greenhills or the Sacred Heart.
Principal of the Sacred Heart Secondary School, Mary Caffrey was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Drogheda Independent.
- Fiona MAGENNIS
