The ASTI is seeking an urgent meeting with the Department of Education and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust over proposals to develop Synge Street CBS as a Gaelcholáiste from September 2026.
ASTI Deputy General Secretary, Diarmaid de Paor said: “The ASTI is very concerned that such a major change to a school, and to the terms and conditions of its teachers, should be attempted with little or no consultation. We are calling on the Department and the school patron to meet with the staff immediately and to put a hold on plans, until staff have been properly consulted.”
At an ASTI meeting at the school this morning, teachers working at the school unanimously agreed to issue the following statement:
“The ASTI teaching staff of Synge Street CBS would like to express our deep concern regarding the proposed transition of our school to a Gaelcholáiste in September 2026. Despite the monumental impact of such a decision, the staff and other valued members of our school community were not consulted prior to the announcement on September 11th 2024. We were informed on September 10th, a day before the school patron, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST), published the announcement and the Department of Education issued a press release welcoming it. Since then, we have received no meaningful communication from either ERST or the Department of Education on how this change would be implemented or how we, as educators, would be upskilled in order to continue teaching here. When surveyed by the ASTI school representative 91% of teaching staff were not in favour of the transition to a Gaelcholáiste. Conversely, 87% of teaching staff were in favour of a change to a co-educational school.
“We fully respect and value the Irish language and its promotion within education and agree that there is a need for a Gaelcholáiste in the area. However, we believe that a transition of this scale should be guided by transparency, collaboration, and careful consideration of all children’s needs. As an all-boys DEIS school we are dedicated to supporting a vibrant and diverse school community, encompassing a range of nationalities, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. The majority of teachers believe co-educational status would enhance our school community.
“While we welcome the fact that the Board of Management of Synge Street have insisted that this plan will not go ahead next year, we are still awaiting clarity from the Department of Education and from the school’s patron, ERST.
“We call on the Department of Education to immediately engage with staff, provide clear information, address our concerns, and outline comprehensive supports for our school community. Our unwavering commitment is to the students and families we serve.”
ENDS
Issued by: Gemma Tuffy, ASTI Media/ Communications Official. Tel: 01/6040172
