Local generosity has helped to rescue small rural school

Two extra pupils will retain teacher

A SMALL North Galway school that was facing losing its mainstream teacher has secured two extra pupils just in time.

Last week there were just nine pupils at Ballinlass NS on the outskirts of Dunmore, now following a community appeal, the number enrolled has risen to 11 meaning the school won't lose a teacher next year.

The positive outcome followed a campaign by Principal Mary Fleming and local community members who are all passionate about saving the rural school.

An emergency meeting was held in Dunmore Town Hall on Sunday night where campaigners told a large crowd how that they could lose their only mainstream teacher if two more pupils were not registered to the school by the end of this month.

The school that has been established for over 120 years had nine pupils at the start of the new academic year along with a teaching principal, a teacher and a special education teacher.

“One student started the school last week and another one is expected to start sometime this week,” said Alma Corless, a campaigner and manager of the Before and After School Service at Ballinlass NS.

There was further good news from the meeting with the offer of generous support to provide transport for children attending the school.

Principal Mary Fleming believes the rural location, two kilometres outside the town, has proved a challenge. However, a former pupil has now committed to buying a minibus for the school. Johnny Knight, the Managing Director and CEO of Knight Build, who lives in England, has also offered to pay for the before and after school service for a year.

Mr Knight is well known in the Dunmore area for his support for the local GAA and rugby clubs and his generosity will enable pupils to be brought to and from Dunmore to Ballinlass NS every day.

“Johnny Knight has also said that he will build on the school to provide a creche service if needed. He is willing to do everything he can to keep the school open,” stressed Ms Corless.

An Open Day was held at Ballinlass N.S. on Saturday, September 26 from 12pm to 4pm, to provide the community with a chance to explore the school premises and learn about its services.

The event was sponsored by Johnny Knight along with local businessmen including Brian Egan owner of Applegreen and Joan and Peter Walkin of Eurospar Dunmore.

The day also featured several fun filled activities for children including face painting and a bouncy castle, sponsored by local resident Jim Carr.