The Meehan Report, commissioned in May last year, includes as one of its recommendations that plans for a replacement post-primary school in the Ballyfin area should be given “immediate and earnest” consideration.

The report was compiled by Kevin Meehan for the Minister for Education Michael Woods and examined the issues arising from the proposed closure of Ballyfin College.

The wide-ranging report looked at a number of options. These included the setting up of either a community college or a community school, involving Ballyfin College and Portlaoise Vocational School. The concept of a community school, comprising of Ballyfin College and either St. Mary’s CBS or Scoil Críost Rí, was also looked at. The final area looked at was a replacement school, under new management and in a new location, accompanied by the immediate implementation of the McCarthy Plan for second level schools in Portlaoise.

The report makes four recommendations. The proposals of the McCarthy Report with regard to second level schools in Portlaoise should proceed without delay.

In view of the opposition of both parents and staff of Ballyfin College to an amalgamation with Portlaoise Vocational School in a Community College, that the building plans for this project needed to be reexamined.

The report also states that since there is evidence of a very committed and dynamic school community existing in Ballyfin College, its plans for a replacement school in the Ballyfin area should be given immediate and earnest consideration. This should take into consideration the existing schools in Mountrath and the needs of that area for the future.

Finally, to enable these recommendations to take place within a reasonable time the report recommends that authorities of Ballyfin College should consider enrolment for the school year 2003. Parents of students enrolling for that year should be advised of the pending closure and the prospect that their children might not be able to complete their studies in the existing college.

One of the more unfavourable aspects of the Meehan Report are the various attempts to upgrade secondary school facilities in Portlaoise, all of which came to nothing.

The 1987 proposal by Prof. John Coolohan that the three secondary schools should be amalgamated under the control of Laois VEC was abandoned by the then Minister for Education Mary O’Rourke.

Ten years later the then Minister for Education Micheal Martin sanctioned a replacement for the vocational school on a new site provided by Laois VEC. This was to house a second level and PLC College.

The planning for this college was proceeding but yet again this was halted when Dr. Tom McCarthy was appointed by Minister Michael Woods in December 2000 to explore the provision of first and second level education in Portlaoise.

Mr Meehan points out that there is no direct reference to Ballyfin College in the McCarthy Report other than to say “representatives from the Patrician College, Ballyfin also attended, as this college caters for approximately 300 pupils in Portlaoise”.

And then subsequent to all this in January 2002 the Department of Education and Science in Tullamore commissioned Todd Architects from Belfast to look at the condition of the primary school buildings and those of St. Mary’s CBS and Scoil Críost Rí. It recommended the replacement of most of these schools.

However, Mr Meehan points out one major anomaly in this survey. In one section of the survey mention is made of the movement to Ballyfin and Mountrath of pupils from Portlaoise. Yet in a later section it refers to a rise in secondary numbers in Portlaoise partially due to “pupils switching from Ballyfin to Portlaoise”.

By July 2001 the Trustees were in discussions with Dr McCarthy, Laois VEC CEO Ronan Rice and officials of the Department on the possibility of a community college, involving Ballyfin and the VEC. Initially Mr Rice expressed concerns he had based on previous proposed amalgamations in Portlaoise.

Report welcomed

THE independent report on the provision of post-primary education in the Portlaoise/Ballyfin area, carried out by Kevin Meehan has been welcomed by local politicians.

“It was a massive blow when it was announced that the college would be closing. It is obvious that parents have the right to a choice to send their children to a replacement school and that the teaching staff have the right to teach in such a school,” said Deputy Seán Fleming.

Minister of State Tom Parlon said the report gives a clear and unambiguous recommendation that the wishes of the pupils, parents, and teachers at Ballyfin for a new school should be given immediate and earnest consideration.

“This is a very welcome outcome and a constructive proposal from the review and it recognises the unique positive contribution of Ballyfin College.

 

<-- Go Back