South Leitrim school faces teacher loss if they can't find one more student

A South Leitrim national school is at risk of losing one of its teachers if they cannot find one more student by September 30th.

Aughnasheelin N.S. currently has 44 students with three teachers, though this number may be reduced to two if they don’t reach 45 pupils by the enrolment deadline for 2026 at the end of the month.

Losing a teacher would have a profound impact not just on the pupils, but on the wider rural community that depends on its local school.

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Louise Gallagher, a secondary school teacher who is on the parents’ committee of Aughnasheelin N.S. and has children in the school, says that keeping three teachers is vital. Right now, students get a lot of one-on-one contact time, which she says is highly beneficial. “They really know your kids,” she said.

She also praised the sense of community that the small school provides its pupils. Along with other committee members, she penned a letter highlighting the opportunity for new families to move into the area.

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“At the same time, there is a real opportunity here. With houses currently available in our area, we would love to welcome new families looking for a vibrant community and a nurturing school environment for their children. Small class sizes, personal attention, and strong community spirit are what we can offer.”

If the school loses its third teacher, it will become even more difficult to regain the position, as the number of students required would rise to 48.