South Leitrim school keeps teacher after big response to community plea

A South Leitrim national school that was in danger of being reduced to a two-teacher school if it didn’t find one more student has secured the vital enrolments following a public appeal.

Aughnasheelin N.S. had 44 students with three teachers, but they were at risk of losing one teacher if they didn’t reach 45 pupils by the enrolment deadline for 2026 at the end of the month.

In the past week, they have seen the enrolment of eight new students, some of whom were previously homeschooled and others who are new to the area.

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

“There’s a real sense of positivity around the place, which is always welcome. I just think there’s a real lift that they’ve achieved something together,” said Louise Gallagher, a secondary school teacher who is on the parents’ committee at the school.

Gallagher said that keeping three teachers is vital. Right now, students get a lot of one-on-one contact time, which she believes is highly beneficial. “They really know your kids,” she said.

“I’m sure for them, they’ll be delighted to hear that their teacher will still be there next year.”

Keeping the teacher was important for the children, but also, she said, it is good to maintain a job in the community. “There’s a person in that job at the moment, and you’re hoping to hold on to the job for her.”

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She also praised the sense of community and everyone who helped out during the campaign. “People really rallied together and found a solution, which is great.”

“There’s a real sense of positivity around the place, which is always welcome … I just think there’s a real lift that they’ve achieved something together.”

If the school had lost its third teacher, it would have become even more difficult to regain the position, as the number of students required would have risen to 48.