Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí’s heartfelt appeal for new build to go ahead

The community of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí was dealt a major blow with news that construction has been put on hold.

Taoiseach Leo Varadakar told Dáil Eireann that the decision which affects 58 schools nationwide was made due to rising construction costs. 

No new timeframe has been given for the postponement of the Gaelscoil’s shovel ready project. And though the Taoiseach says he ‘hopes the matter will be resolved by Easter’ his words don’t carry much conviction, especially for the Donegal Town school which has been operating out of prefabs since it opened in 1999.

One of its founders and former Principal, Seosamh Mac Suibhne has responded on behalf of the Board of Management and the Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí Community.

He gives the background to the project, and to why this school is so important to the community.

“Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máisrí is a bilingual primary school with a total immersion model of education through the living Gaelic language,” he said.

“Since its opening in 1999 the educational activities have taken place in prefabricated buildings that were obtained by the local community, the parents and the Board of Management of the school.  

“After 24 years in operation in these conditions and ongoing consultation with the Department of Education, the building of the new school was ready to start; the builder appointed, planning approval gained and all was ready to go.

“When Lo! Another announcement comes from on high that the commencement of building has been put on hold!

“The community of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí request that the building of the new school structures commence starts right away.

“Seoladh ríomhphoist chugainn an tseachtain seo ón Roinn Oideachais ag rá go bhfuil an obair tógála ár fhoirgnimh buan Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí curtha r feitheamh in éineacht 57 scoil eile go náisiúnta.

“Tá muid briste, tá an-iontas orainn agus an-díoma orainn leis an nuacht seo a tháinig aniar aduaidh orainn. Síleann muid gur lig an Rialtas muid síos ag an bpointe dhéanaigh seo sa togra nuair a bhí an obair tógála le tosú.

“Tá Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistí ar lorg soiléiriú leis an mhoill seo agus an fáth a bhfuil an tionscnamh curtha ar feitheamh. 

“Tá muid ig impí ar an Rialtas leanúint leis an gclár tógála scoile agus an fhoirgneamh atá tuilte ag pobal na Gaelscoile a chur chun cinn.”

This long-awaited new building is about so much more than bricks and mortar, it is about providing a home for the Gaelscoil community and all that it represents.

Seosamh is very passionate about keeping the Irish language, history and traditions alive, and he shares this passion with the Gaelscoil pupils and the wider community.

He explains why he feels so strongly about Gaelscoileanna: “Many indigenous communities all over the world use total immersion models of living bilingual education to ensure that native languages are kept alive; that cultural diversity within our world in maintained; that all students may avail of the internationally recognised educational advantages that that accrue from such models, that distinct cultural, spiritual and communal heritages are respected and nurtured in a way that celebrates the diversity of our human family.”