Hope for pupils taking their lessons in overcrowded and cramped conditions

Pupils in a north Meath school, who are being taught in overcrowded cramped conditions have been given a glimmer of hope as the Education Minister has agreed to review their application for additional funding.

The children St Brigid's National School, Meath Hill are being taught in small, cramped classrooms that don't comply with current guidelines for schools.
“There is no PE hall, no storage, no principal's office, no general office, no library and no disabled toilets,” says principal Anita McCahey.
An application by the school for additional accommodation was refused by the Department of Education and Skills last year, and the facilities have deteriorated further since then.
However, Deputy Niamh Smyth said this week she has secured a commitment from the Education Minister to review the application by the school for funding for additional accommodation.
“I raised the situation in the school directly with Minister Joe McHugh in the Dáil this week and I am pleased that he has committed to 'check that specific application out'. I will follow up with Minister McHugh over the next few weeks and will be continuing to press the argument for additional funding for St. Brigid’s with him”.
There are currently 94 pupils in the school and Ms McCahey says that the only classroom that is compliant with current regulations for schools is the Junior Infant class.
“There are 30 students in 6th Class. They are in a room of 41m sq and classrooms are supposed to be 80 m sq with their own toilet facility.
“We have 70 children who have to go to the toilet outside of their classroom,” she says.
“There is only one exit/entrance to each classroom.
On days it is raining the children just cannot have PE and the school doesn't have a library,
“The school is packed to capacity and it is still growing.
Deputy Smyth said, “St Brigid’s is a wonderful school – with almost 100 students and four very committed and enthusiastic teachers. However, the pupils and teachers are being let down by the Department, which is refusing to allocate funding for essential building works.
“The student body has outgrown the building, and there is a real need for additional space.
“It’s simply not an acceptable environment for learning and development.”
“We have a Green Flag and an Active School Flag, and we are doing everything right education -wise, but the department isn’t doing its bit,” she says.