The future of Drinane Public School is up in the air following the decision of the Department of Education and Training (DET) to cease lessons at the end of this term. The DET blames dwindling enrolments for its decision but has not ruled out reopening the school if more students enrol. Drinane’s predicament is similar to that of Ballimore which is likely to be reduced to a one-teacher school next year. Community members of Coboco, where the school is located, have reacted to the news with sadness but understand the reason behind the decision. This week a DET spokesman confirmed a decision on the immediate future of the Drinane-Eumungerie Road school had been made following public meetings. He also said the school would be “maintained and available to be reactivated if more students come into the area”. “Only two students indicated that they would be attending the school next year,” he said. “The DET assisted in facilitating an alternative school for that family. “While the school remains under review, the DET will conduct regular meetings with the school community to canvas whether there are more school-aged children in the area and to gauge the potential for reactivating the school.” Past student and parent Diane Wheeler attended both meetings and commended the department for their approach. “I’m really pleased the director is sympathetic to the school’s cause,” she said. “When many small schools were closed in the 1970s it seemed the department didn’t care. “Now the outcome is no different but it’s nice that people understand it’s a loss to the community.” Drinane had entered “review status” following the fall in Ballimore’s anticipated 2008 enrolment to 18. Drinane Public School opened in 1932 at a time when small schools dotted the landscape. Drinane hung on while schools at Balladoran, Brocklehurst, Kickabil, Mogriguy and Collie closed. Drinane was the setting for the 1992 film No Worries and the 2001 television advertisement Teach the Children Well. faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com
After serving the community for 76 years, Drinane Public School will not be open for classes in 2008 owing to dwindling enrolments.
The future of Drinane Public School is up in the air following the decision of the Department of Education and Training (DET) to cease lessons at the end of this term.
The DET blames dwindling enrolments for its decision but has not ruled out reopening the school if more students enrol.
Drinane’s predicament is similar to that of Ballimore which is likely to be reduced to a one-teacher school next year.
Community members of Coboco, where the school is located, have reacted to the news with sadness but understand the reason behind the decision.
This week a DET spokesman confirmed a decision on the immediate future of the Drinane-Eumungerie Road school had
been made following public meetings.
He also said the school would be “maintained and available to be reactivated if more students come into the area”.
“Only two students indicated that they would be attending the school next year,” he said.
“The DET assisted in facilitating an alternative school for that family.
“While the school remains under review, the DET will conduct regular meetings with the school community to canvas whether there are more school-aged children in the area and to gauge the potential for reactivating the school.”
Past student and parent Diane Wheeler attended both meetings and commended the department for their approach.
“I’m really pleased the director is sympathetic to the school’s cause,” she said. “When many small schools were closed in the 1970s
it seemed the department didn’t care.
“Now the outcome is no different but it’s nice that people understand it’s a loss to the community.”
Drinane had entered “review
status” following the fall in Ballimore’s anticipated 2008 enrolment to 18.
Drinane Public School opened in 1932 at a time when small schools dotted the landscape.
Drinane hung on while schools at Balladoran, Brocklehurst, Kickabil, Mogriguy and Collie closed.
Drinane was the setting for the 1992 film No Worries and the 2001 television advertisement Teach the Children Well.
faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com
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