A small national school in Co Galway is offering a €2,000 bursary to attract families from outside the area in an effort to retain its second teacher. Scoil Naomh Pádraig, located in An Chloch Bhreac—a scenic Gaeltacht area nestled between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask in north Connemara—is facing a decline in pupil numbers that could see it fall below the threshold required to maintain two teachers.
Currently, the school has seven pupils, but it is set to lose three in September. To meet Department of Education requirements for staffing, the school now needs at least 11 pupils enrolled, meaning seven more are needed to retain the second teacher.
A fundraising campaign spearheaded by the school’s parents’ committee, with additional support from the school itself, has raised €14,000. This fund will be divided among seven new families who decide to enrol their children at the school. Each family will receive a €2,000 bursary, paid over two school years. The initiative aims to support families interested in educating their children through Irish in a school deeply rooted in rural and community heritage.
Paddy Curran, a parent and committee member who attended the school in 1989 when it had 36 pupils, explained the situation this week. Despite current numbers, he said there is significant optimism for the local population profile. Around 14 babies and toddlers live in the area and are expected to enrol in the coming years. He questioned the logic of losing a teacher now under existing regulations, only to reapply for one later when numbers inevitably increase.
Mr Curran highlighted a growing trend of families returning to rural areas, particularly during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Several families have moved back to the region, which he said has brought positive changes for the school and community. Already, four families have committed to sending their children to Scoil Naomh Pádraig under the scheme, but three more are urgently needed to reach the minimum enrolment target.
The school lies just 5km from Clonbur in Co Galway and 9km from Cong in Co Mayo. It offers a unique environment for families interested in a more personal and community-focused educational setting.
Acting principal Linda Ní Dhroighneáin is fully behind the campaign. She emphasized that a second teacher is not a luxury but a necessity, providing critical support for both educational and social development. She believes having two teachers enhances academic outcomes, promotes teacher wellbeing, and helps foster a more dynamic and inclusive classroom environment.
Ms Ní Dhroighneáin pointed out that small class sizes at Scoil Naomh Pádraig allow for tailored learning, individual attention, and strong teacher-student relationships. In addition to its core academic offerings, the school now provides an after-school service and has plans to introduce a breakfast club starting in September 2025.
The school was originally founded in the 1890s, and its current building opened in 1965. Over the years, it has remained a vital part of the local community, serving generations of families in this rural Gaeltacht region.
Scoil Naomh Pádraig’s initiative illustrates the challenges many small schools face, but also their resilience and determination to preserve quality education in rural communities.
