Uncertain future for school that dates from 1547
Thursday October 22 2009
IT is one of the oldest schools in the country, founded by King Edward VI in 1547.
But St Patrick's Cathedral Grammar School in Dublin now faces an uncertain future as a result of the Government's decision to reduce funding to Protestant schools.
The school, which has 127 pupils, lost one teacher, two middle management promotion posts and €50,000 in state grants this year, as a result of budgetary changes.
It was forced to put up fees by 11pc to €3,100 a year. But this resulted in losing 25pc of the new intake the school was planning to enrol in September.
"The parents involved simply could not afford the fees," the school's new principal, Sylvia Hick, said.
A further rise next year is inevitable and there is a possibility of the school losing another teacher.
Up to now, the school has been able to provide a wide curriculum, including three science subjects to Leaving Certificate level but it can no longer be confident of doing so into the future.
"I don't want to raise hairs but I am not sure about the school in the medium to long term," said Ms Hick, who has been teaching in the school for 17 years.
"We have to be creative raising funds.
"We are looking for a sponsor, but that's not a job for a principal -- the Department of Education should be funding the schools."
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has stated that the problems are confined mainly to rural schools.
But Ms Hick insisted this was incorrect, adding that "we are very definitely a city school".
She added the Government also suggested that schools with difficulties could go into the Free Education scheme.
"But we are too small and on a restricted site," she said.
"The most we could take is 150 pupils."
- John Walshe
Irish Independent
