THE FORMAL opening by the Minister for Education tomorrow of an £0.5 million extension to Colaiste Eanna in Ballyroan, Dublin, heralds the end of one of the most acute shortages of second level places in the capital.
The provision of extra school places has been the subject of long running campaigns by local residents as well as a high profile and controversial consultants' report, which recommended expanding existing schools rather than building new ones.
Notwithstanding continuing opposition to the decision of the Ban non Report from some Knocklyon residents, the provision of extra places in Colaiste Eanna will go a long way towards easing the pressures on boys' schools in Ballyroan, Knocklyon, Templeogue and Scholarstown.
Tomorrow's opening by the Minister is just the first step in the expansion of Colaiste Eanna, which was established by the Christian Brothers in 1969 but now has a totally lay teaching staff. Existing links with the adjoining Sancta Maria girls' school are also being developed in order to provide the widest possible curriculum for both boys and girls.
The new extension comprises 10 classrooms, including a language laboratory and specialist areas for business studies and social studies. The second phase of the development is projected to cost £2 million, and will incorporate a sports hall, science labs and specialist rooms.
By the time the development is complete, enrolment at Colaiste Eanna will have increased from about 575 boys to 800.
The sports hall in particular will be greatly appreciated, as in recent years the school has built up a fine record in several sports. Golf professionals Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley both attended Colaiste Eanna, and the school has triumphed in the all Ireland schools basketball championship at all age levels.
However, the Knocklyon Post Primary Committee has vowed to continue its campaign for a new school in the area, arguing that the Bannon report significantly under estimated the amount of house building in Knocklyon since 1991.
With Seamus Brennan of Fianna Fail enthusiastically backing the Knocklyon case, and another local TD, Eithne Fitzgerald, on the other side, the issue is likely to figure prominently on the doorsteps at the next general election campaign.
