There’s a warning that more schools will close if pupils continue bypassing those in their local areas, particularly in rural locations.
It follows efforts by the trustees of St Mary’s College in Ballisodare, Co Sligo, to close that secondary school in two years time because of falling pupil numbers.
Fine Gael Councillor Hubert Keaney says that every year, schools and colleges are ‘touting for business.’
But says there needs to be a fundamental review of how schools attract pupils and the catchment areas they are allowed draw students from.
Cllr Keaney says it’s the decisions made by students and parents about where they’re going to school that’s ultimately going to decide whether some schools remain open in years to come.
