A proposal had been brought to life for a new Community National School to be built in Clonad.
The Clonad Community Development Association (CCDA) have called the proposal “a critical initiative that will profoundly impact our community.”
The CCDA have letter sent to the LOETB, local County Councillors, and local TD’s outlining the pressing need for a new school in the community and the numerous benefits it will bring.
“We have identified the overcrowding and compromised learning environments in our existing schools, emphasising the urgent need for improved facilities and resources for our students, the CCDA said.
“A new school will provide our children with a safe, inclusive, and modern learning environment, setting the stage for their future success.”
In the letter, the CCDA said: “The previous proposal outlined that there is an urgent need for the establishment of a new school due to several pressing factors that demand immediate attention.
“The existing schools in the Portlaoise area are operating beyond their capacity, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and compromised learning environments.
“The increasing population and lack of educational facilities in close proximity have created an unsustainable situation for students and teachers.
“The proposed school will not only alleviate the burden on existing schools but also enhance the educational opportunities available to our children. It will foster a safe and nurturing environment that promotes learning and academic excellence.”
The letter also included several statistics to add credence to their proposal:
“Statistics from the previous 5 census shows that within a twenty year period from 1996 to 2016, Portlaoise’s population has increased by 132%.
“Based on the last two census alone, Portlaoise is the fastest growing town in Ireland outside of the major cities.
“Over a quarter of the population of Laois now reside in Portlaoise. By 2025 the population of Portlaoise is projected to grow to 25,382.
“The town has experienced considerable urbanisation and expansion in recent years and with the significant population growth this has put a greater demand on the town’s infrastructure in particular education and this has lead to a massive increase in demand for school places.
“The provision of good quality education facilities is vitally important to support the development of sustainable communities and to support economic development.
“The demographic data for the Portlaoise area, overall indicates that demand for primary pupil places over the past 5 years across the region has been increasing and it is prudent to plan provision in this area on this basis.
“The wide area to be served by the school reflects the significant movement of children to attend schools in this area and enrolments are expected to continue to rise.
“Families have had no alternative but to send their children to schools many kilometres outside of Portlaoise. Ratheniska NS, Ballyfin NS, Heath NS, Emo NS and Timahoe NS have all doubled in size over the past 15 years and will be unable to meet the future needs placed upon them.
“The only viable solution is to establish a new school which will alleviate the burden currently being placed on existing schools within Portlaoise and the surrounding townlands.”
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