St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny has responded to the disappointing news that their school has been overlooked as part of a multi billion euro government school investment programme.
The school, with over 1,000 students and a growing waiting list, has been calling for an extension to the school for decades.
But this week they found out that their school has once again been excluded from the Department of Education’s priority list for the next two years.
“The news that Saint Eunan’s has once again been excluded from the Department’s priority list for the next two years is more than a disappointment; it is a breakdown in trust,” a statement from the school reads.
“The need has not diminished nor demographics changed – we are catering for Letterkenny and a wide surrounding area with continued pressure of an increasing enrolment.”
The Letterkenny school said they deserve better than “temporary” solutions that have lasted for generations.
“We have upheld our side. We provide the results, the student care, and the future workforce for this region. However, the state’s reciprocal commitment—the basic provision of a fit-for-purpose environment—has been absent for nearly thirty years.”
Since 1997, through the tenure of three different principals, St Eunan’s College have campaigned for an extension/refurbishment.
“For decades, we were led to believe that the funding was secure and that progress was imminent. Yet, we are met with a wall of silence.
“Our frustration today is not just with the lack of bricks and mortar; it is with the lack of simple, honest communication. The inability of the Department to provide answers or a clear roadmap is an affront to our staff, our students, their families and our community.
“To ignore a school of this scale is not just an administrative oversight; it is an organisational disgrace.
“It is a testament to the spirit of this school that we continue to thrive. We produce engineers, doctors, tradespeople, and leaders in facilities that have long outlived their intended lifespan.
“Our staff work around these limitations every day, refusing to let the physical environment dictate the quality of a student’s education.”
“But “making do” should not be a permanent strategy. The Department has, for too long, relied on our resilience as a reason to delay their responsibility. They have seen our ability to succeed in spite of our surroundings as a sign that we can wait. We can no longer accept that logic,” the statement read.
The school highlighted that the issue extends far beyond the walls of their classrooms. It affects the heartbeat of Letterkenny and the wider Donegal region.
They have called on the local community to support them in their campaign by contacting their local and national representatives.
