South Donegal school facing closure after enrolment campaign attracts one pupil

A south Donegal national school says it will be forced to take the decision to close if enrollment does not increase before a deadline next week.

Fintra National School near Killybegs, which has an enrolment of just four, has made efforts to increase pupil numbers since early this year.

But after just one conditional enrolment for the next academic year, the school’s board of management says it will have to consider closure if enrolment does not increase.

Measures taken in recent months to attract additional pupils include an open day, the offer of a preschool, breakfast club and afterschool service, an enrolment video and a survey of prospective parents.

A public meeting on the future of the school in January was attended by around 80 members of the local community and the school said the subsequent open day was “well attended”.

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In a statement, the board of management said that following a meeting, the enrolment deadline has been extended to Wednesday, April 22.

“After this date, the Board of Management regret that they will have no option but to liaise with the school patron, Bishop Niall Coll, regarding the closure of the school from the end of this academic year if the position remains unchanged.”

Enrolment forms for any classes are available by contacting the school on 0749731668 or email info@fintrans.ie by 3pm on Wednesday, April 22.