Kilfinnane National School 06/06/2008

INTO PRESS RELEASE : Comments by Declan Kelleher, INTO President on Kilfinnane National School

6th June 2008

Comments by Declan Kelleher, INTO President on Kilfinnane National School

The INTO fully supports the parents of Kilfinnane National School in their process against the Department of Education for its failure to refurbish their school, which was last refurbished back in 1909.

Even though there is a down turn in the economy it is disgraceful that the children of Kilfinnane National School have to suffer these draconian conditions. The parents and children have been patient for too long and its time the government addressed the need to refurbish this dilapidated school building.

No child should have to endure such substandard conditions as is being experienced by the children of Kilfinnane National School. Having children queing up to go to outside toilets is draconian and belongs to an era gone by. No teacher should be asked to continue to work in such conditions. Substandard school buildings are not inevitable. Over crowded, run down dilapidated schools are the result of choices not fate. It doesn’t have to be like this. The government should make an immediate decision for the refurbish to go ahead. These children should not be coming back in September to a dilapidated school building.

Ends