Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed confirmation from her party colleague and Minister for Education Norma Foley, that the small schools’ project supporting the sustainability of small rural schools is being extended for a further two years.

Small schools are defined as schools with four mainstream teachers or fewer. There are approximately 1,294 small schools (2022/2023 figures), accounting for 42 per cent of all primary schools and 13.3 per cent of total enrolments of all primary school pupils.

The innovative small schools’ action research project, which was first set up in 2021, has brought small schools together in local clusters, enabling them to collaborate and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions.

Senator McGreehan said, “Small schools are a support and a beacon for local communities. They are at the heart of educating generations of young people and providing a focal point for families and communities. The project has shown that small schools collaborating and working together offers promise for the future.

“I understand that the feedback to date from schools participating includes experiencing a greater sense of collegiality and well-being along with the project being a safe place for collaboration and schools feeling less isolated.”

Funding will continue in phase two of the project and schools will not be asked to make a financial contribution to take part.

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