There is a pressing need for another Irish-medium post-primary school in Belfast, according to the acting principal of Scoil an Droichid. The current situation forces many students to travel long distances to the only other Irish-medium post-primary in Northern Ireland, leading to significant challenges. The Education Authority (EA) acknowledges the growing demand for Irish-medium education and plans to establish new schools, but the lack of immediate solutions in certain areas remains a concern.
There is a 'dire need' for another Irish-medium post-primary school in Belfast , the acting principal of one of the city's Irish-medium primary schools has said. Aisling Nic Giolla Bhéin, acting principal of Scoil an Droichid in south Belfast , highlighted the issue, stating that the sector is 'ever-growing' and the current situation is unsustainable.
With over 180 pupils, Scoil an Droichid sees many of its students having to travel considerable distances to Coláiste Feirste in west Belfast, the only other Irish-medium post-primary in Northern Ireland. This can involve multiple bus journeys depending on their location. The Education Authority (EA) acknowledges the need, stating that Northern Ireland still requires two new Irish language post-primary schools to meet the growing demand for Irish-medium education. This echoes their previous operational plan for 2022-2024, which also identified the need for two new Irish-language post-primary schools.The EA's new plan proposes the establishment of another post-primary school in north Belfast and another serving the Londonderry, Fermanagh and Mid-Ulster areas. This plan also includes proposals for new Irish-medium nursery and primary schools in various locations, including Londonderry, Belfast, Antrim, and Swatragh. An integrated Irish language primary school in east Belfast is also planned to cater to the needs of pupils in that area.However, the lack of Irish-medium post-primary options in some regions poses significant challenges. Máire Ní Dhochartaigh, principal of Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh in Strabane, County Tyrone, points out that some of her pupils might have to travel to Letterkenny in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, to continue their education after primary school. She emphasizes the need for an Irish-medium post-primary school in a nearby location like Omagh, which would benefit students from Strabane, Fermanagh, and Omagh town. The EA's operational plan also addresses the growing need for special schools and classes for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). It projects an increase in the number of pupils in special schools from 7,600 in 2025 to around 8,700 by the end of the decade. This signifies the necessity to build up to eight new special schools to accommodate the increasing demand. The plan, developed with input from various organizations like the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG), the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), and the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC), aims to strategically allocate educational resources based on projections of pupil numbers across the 11 council areas. This could potentially result in the closure or merger of schools in areas experiencing declining pupil populations. Conversely, the plan anticipates a decrease in the number of primary-age children over the next decade, suggesting a need for fewer primary schools in the future.
Irish-Medium Education Post-Primary Schools Belfast Education Authority Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh Scoil An Droichid Coláiste Feirste
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