A small national school in Co Galway is taking proactive measures to prevent the loss of its second teacher by offering a €2,000 bursary to families from outside the area. Scoil Naomh Pádraig, An Chloch Bhreac, situated in a picturesque gaeltacht area in north Connemara, is facing the prospect of losing three out of its seven pupils next September, which would result in the loss of its second teacher.

A fundraising effort led by a parents' committee, along with contributions from the school, has raised €14,000. This fund will be shared among seven families from outside the catchment area who opt to enroll their children in this small school that is deeply rooted in community and rural heritage.

Parent and committee member Paddy Curran emphasized the need for 11 pupils to maintain the second teacher, requiring seven more enrollments in September. He highlighted the paradox of potentially losing a teacher due to Department of Education regulations, only to have to reapply for one in a few years when there are numerous babies and toddlers in the area who will be starting school soon.

Acting principal Linda Ní Dhroighneáin expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the critical importance of a second teacher for educational, social, and practical reasons. She stressed that it is not merely a luxury but a necessity for providing equitable, effective, and sustainable education, enhancing academic outcomes, supporting teacher well-being, and fostering an inclusive learning environment.

The school, established in the 1890s in an older building, moved to a new facility in 1965. With smaller class sizes, the school can offer more individual attention and tailored learning, fostering strong teacher-student relationships. Plans are in place to introduce an after-school service and a breakfast club starting in September 2025.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee recently released an interim report on a research project initiated in 2021 to support small rural schools. The project aims to trial new initiatives that benefit small schools and address the challenges they encounter. One aspect involves encouraging small schools to form local clusters to collaborate, identify common issues, and test innovative solutions.

The report highlights the significant number of small schools in the country, with a high percentage having four teachers or fewer. These schools, which make up 39% of all primary schools and educate nearly 13% of all students, face unique challenges that initiatives like the one at Scoil Naomh Pádraig aim to address.