Survey highlights “unsuitable for purpose” Derry Gaelscoil buildings

A new survey compiling data that shows the lack of investment in Derry’s gaelscoil building infrastructure, has been conducted.

The survey, compiled by Ardmackle Architects, was commissioned by Comhairle na Gaelscoilaíochta, to highlight the “unsuitable for purpose” buildings that pupils and staff are working in. The survey is set to be released imminently.

Derry’s three bunscoil (primary schools) were represented at the survey launch in the Guildhall on Monday.

Comhairle na Gaelscoilaíochta is the representative body for Irish-medium education and was established in 2000 by the Department for Education (DE) to “promote, facilitate and encourage Irish-medium education and Irish-medium schools” and to do so “in a planned, educationally efficient and cost-effective way.”

Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Cllr. Patricia Logue told attendees that the survey represented a cause close to her heart as her son Caomhan was “one of the first pupils” to attend an Irish medium school in the city and that the findings of this survey would be “stark” mentioning that on a recent visit to Bunscoil Cholmcille she was “shocked to find the school is the exact same as it was 40 years ago.”

Ciarán Mackle, of Ardmackle Architects, explained that the survey was conducted in 2020 to analyse 17 buildings housing Irish medium primary schools across the north against the DE Primary Schools Building Handbook.

Mr Mackle highlighted issues in Derry schools stating that Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir is half the size recommended in the handbook. Bunscoil Cholmcille has currently only got use of one remote toilet building which pupils have to walk outside to in all weather conditions.

Despite the issues raised, the ability of students, teachers and parents for their “culture of making do” and being able to “imaginatively use and spatially programme” the limited space they do have, should be commended, as well as their “track record of self help.”

Mr Mackle stated that the “job at hand” is to get planning approved for “permanent buildings that are of proper size”.

Charlie McMonagle, chairperson of Bunscoil Cholmcille, the city’s first Irish medium primary school, said that it is “time now for forward planning and thinking” and that while Bunscoil Cholmcille has recently had planning approved for a new £1.6million “multipurpose hall”, the school is in need of further improvement elsewhere, with classes still being taught in huts that were intended to be used only as a temporary five year solution, 40 years ago, with some huts having an expected life span of only three more years.

Mary Nic Ailín, principal of Naíscoil and Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, highlighted the fact that gaelscoileanna in the city are continuing to grow “despite a decline in birth rates” and puts this down to a thirst for Irish medium schooling in the city and thanks to the provision of “high quality education at the heart of the community.”

Ms Nic Ailín stated that “DE expects a yearly and three year plan from teachers. We need the same from them for the development of Irish medium schools.”

Fiachra Ó Donghaile, principal of Gaelscoil na Daróige in Ballymagroarty, welcomed the survey and spoke of how his primary school was founded 20 years ago, “encouraged by the pioneering spirit” of the gaelscoileanna established before them and explained that the school was built only because of the support of the local community who “provided the majority of the buildings still in use today.”

Mr Ó Donghaile stated that the “time for surveys is over - we need action.

“We’ve already taken action, made sacrifices, our staff room is now the P2 classroom.”

Maria Thomasson, CEO of Comhairle na Gaelscoilaíochta (CnaG), stated that CnaG is committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders and that an “Irish Medium Policy should be implemented with the support of CnaG which should attract annual ring fenced short to long term funding” as there is no current “budget to refresh or replace the current ad-hoc accommodation” that Irish medium schools in the city currently utilise.

Thomasson also heralded the “dedication and dynamism” of those involved in the Irish medium education sector who “deserve better” as the Department of Education “pays little heed to Irish schools.”

Thomasson highlighted that Irish medium schools have already proven to improve local outcomes stating these “schools can be and are central to our communities” and that it is vital to show children “who are our future, that we are committed to providing them with health and wellbeing” as well as providing them with a space for “happily learning and succeeding.”