Sir, – Fine Gael and Labour have effectively sounded the death-knell for many of our small rural schools through their decision to raise the pupil to teacher ratio in these schools on a phased basis.
This planned cauterisation of the very life-blood of numerous tightly-knit communities has managed to slip virtually unnoticed under the radar, with even the INTO releasing a generally positive statement on staffing following the Budget.
The stark reality is that the small schools in rural Ireland will be squeezed out of existence by stealth under the new teaching-staff regulations. Small rural schools will be forced to close, some as soon as September 2012. Transport costs to alternative schools have been doubled, which will put huge strain on families who will shortly have to bus their children to distant schools, outside of their communities.
For many of these communities, this will be the last straw. Their primary school is the last community link left, having already lost banks, post offices and Garda stations, not to mention the local shop or petrol station. What a legacy for this Government. Fianna Fáil may have sold our sovereignty, but Fine Gael and Labour are quietly selling our soul. – Yours, etc,