I wish to thank you, A Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to bring to the attention of the Minister the disgraceful overcrowding at the Christian Brothers High School in Clonmel, County Tipperary. Quite simply, the school is bursting at the seams, causing totally unacceptable levels of stress and strain to the teachers and school management, overcrowding and unsuitable conditions for the pupils and feelings of desperation on the part of parents who wish to secure a place for their child in this school.
The lack of accommodation has been outlined by school management in correspondence with the Minister. Details have been forwarded in relation to costings, architects reports for the four classrooms requested, supported by the projected student population growth.
The school was built to accommodate 350 pupils and the present school population is 603. There is not sufficient accommodation for these students and neither can the principal admit the number of pupils, 184 applicants, who wish to attend the High School in September next. Last September entry was refused to more than 80 boys and the situation is even worse this year. While the Minister has publicly stated her opposition to entrance tests, I ask, what option has the management in the High School but to hold an entrance examination, undesirable as it is?
The situation is such that the results of the High School entrance examination elicited the same interest and fear as the leaving certificate results. This is appalling for young boys who experience rejection at so early an age, and for parents who have to cope with a despondent child trying to come to terms with failure caused entirely by the lack of accommodation in the school.
The school authorities have rightly rejected the Department's offer of two prefabricated classrooms and as one who experienced the task of teaching in this type of accommodation, I support their decision. The school population is projected to grow to 1997, the year that one can reasonably make projections. It cannot then realistically accept temporary solutions which will involve costly maintenance and are, in the long term, totally unsatisfactory.
A proposal has been forwarded to the Minister for the provision of four concrete classrooms, estimated to cost £92,000. I urge the Minister to seriously consider this request and provide the school with its minimum needs so that it can provide education to all who wish to attend the High School.
Added to their accommodation problems, is the dilapidated condition of part of the existing school, now 100 years old.
It was deemed structurally dangerous some years ago. In addition, the more modern part of the school, built in 1976, has major defects. Specifically, structural enigineers have recorded falling concrete which is dangerous to pupils as it falls off the concrete surrounds of the buildings. Nothing has been done about this to date.
This school is not seeking luxury — but rather the very basic accommodation in which to provide for the educational needs of the students. The reality is that the students are crammed into substandard classrooms, and what of those who are refused entry?
The situation has reached crisis stge and the Minister's intervention is urgently needed. The minimum required is £92,000 to provide for four additional classrooms. I urge the Minister to extend the hand of friendship towards Clonmel High School.
