A West Clare teacher expects ‘pressure points’ on secondary schools across the county as the number of arrivals from Ukraine continues to increase.
It’s after the Education Minister insisted schools in Clare will be adequately supported through the coming months.
More than 900 refugees from the war torn state are estimated to be enrolled in Clare primary and secondary schools currently, with just four counties having higher pupil numbers from Ukraine.
The Government’s been warned extra school places may soon be ‘exhausted’ in a briefing document to the Department of Public Expenditure.
Speaking during a visit to Ennis on Friday, Education Minister Norma Foley insisted resources will continue to be deployed to counties such as Clare which have high numbers of Ukrainian students.
Clare’s INTO representative is praising the work of this county’s Regional Education and Language Team since it was assembled.
The Department of Education put in place a team in Clare to support the education needs of children from Ukraine arriving in Ireland when the war began.
Brendan Horan says while that work has been positive, an ongoing review of the system is needed.
A West Clare teacher meanwhile believes the thousands of Ukrainian students who may transfer from primary to secondary school in the coming years will put further pressure on the second level system.
Rebecca Conlon, who’s Deputy Principal of St. Joseph’s Community College in Kilkee says while the system is currently working well, additional supports will be needed in the medium to long term.
Listen back to the full interview here:
