By Dionne Meehan
THE last Donegal Education and Training Board meeting of the term took place in the Radisson Hotel in Letterkenny last week.
From the pandemic to the war in Ukraine, it has been a very busy five years for the ETB with many challenges to overcome.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr Donal Coyle, Chairperson of Donegal ETB said the pandemic changed an awful lot of things in society.
“But, the ETB, from the top down, handled it very well,” he said.
Cllr Coyle also commended the ETB on how they dealt with the pressure that came hand in hand with the war in Ukraine.
“Then came the war in Ukraine, along with the international protection students, which put a lot of pressure on schools.
“Again, schools dealt with it and are dealing with it very well.
“In the ETB, we are very lucky to have such fantastic teaching staff, SNAs and all the ancillary staff in our schools that are so dedicated and hard-working,
“The students are at the centre of all we do in our schools,” he said.
At the meeting, tributes were paid to Noel Reddan and Noreen McGarvey, two valuable members of the ETB who sadly passed away during the term of the board.
“Noel made a fantastic contribution at meetings of the ETB,” Cllr Coyle said.
“He was always very balanced and spoke very well.
“Noreen was another lady who contributed an awful lot at meetings.
“She was a big loss to all of us at the ETB.
“When she made a contribution at a meeting, you listened to her because she was a rock of sense,” he
said.
Describing his time as Chairperson as “a great honour”, Cllr Coyle said the ETB is a fantastic organisation.
“There has been great progress in school buildings and extensions right across all 15 schools under the office of the ETB.
“The extension at Finn Valley College has been given approval to proceed to construction.
“That new extension will consist of three new classrooms to provide a special class for children with special needs, two special education rooms for one to one teaching or group working and three general classrooms.
“That is very welcome news for Finn Valley College.
“Work is also continuing on the new school at Moville College.
“During a recent visit, the Minister also opened eight modular classrooms in Errigal College.
“In regards to new buildings, you have Errigal College which I am delighted to see as Chairman of the
Board of Errigal College.
“That is proceeding and I am looking forward to that being completed over the next number of years.
“The other big one is the three school campus in Buncrana which has been ongoing for a long time.
“Again, a site has been found and I am looking forward to that proceeding as well,” he concluded.
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