Synge Street CBS teachers and parents protest 'zero-consultation' approach to gaelcholáiste plan

Irish Examiner

08-05-2025

Teachers at a well-known Dublin school due to begin to switch to a gaelcholáiste from 2026 may take industrial action over the plans, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has warned.
The union staged a protest outside Synge Street CBS on Thursday, highlighting what it described as a 'zero-consultation' approach when it comes to transitioning the school from an English medium to Irish.
Last September, the Department of Education announced that Synge Street CBS was to become a co-educational gaelcholáiste from September 2026.
However, doubt was cast over the plans as teachers at the school raised concerns about the the proposed transition.
Despite the "monumental impact" of such a decision, staff said they were not consulted prior to the Department of Education's announcement.
Parent Sabina Stan is among the protesters who are not in favour of changing the school to a gaelcholáiste. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
While the majority of teachers at the school are not in favour of changing the school to a gaelcholáiste, the majority are in favour of a switch to co-education.
In March, the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) announced that the school would welcome another intake of students this September to be taught through English.
The school also plans to admit another separate intake of students from September 2026, who will be the first to be taught through Gaeilge.
'ASTI teachers at the school continue to call for a pause in this unilaterally imposed decision to allow for consultation with staff, parents, and students," said ASTI president Donal Cremin.
Synge Street CBS students, parents, and teachers continue to be ignored, bypassed, and disregarded
"This is despite the fact that, earlier this year, the school board of management declared its opposition to the ERST changes being introduced in 2026.'
Parent Kseniia Sonina and teacher Katie Delany want teachers' concerns addressed by the department. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
Mr Cremin added: 'A pause for a year would allow teachers' legitimate concerns to be addressed, for alternatives to be explored, and for a full consideration of what is best for the current school community as well for those who are seeking a gaelcholáiste in the area."
Teachers, like all workers, deserve basic respect and engagement regarding a major decision which will have a significant impact on their day-to-day lives and their futures
Up to 50 different nationalities are represented amongst the Synge Street student cohort.
A spokesman for the trust said Synge Street CBS is facing serious sustainability challenges due to declining enrolment. As a result, it will face the redeployment of a significant proportion of its staff over the coming years which will further undermine enrolment.
"This is the context that informed Synge Street CBS's board of management's request to ERST at the end of May last year for a change of status to a co-educational gaelcholáiste."
The trust has acknowledged, both directly to staff and in the public domain, that teachers feel disappointed and disrespected by the lack of consultation in the change of status process, he added.
ASTI standing committee members Geraldine O'Loughlin and Adrieanne Healy also attended the protest. Picture: Sam Boal /Collins Photos
To give staff more time to adjust, the trust has gotten the agreement of the Department of Education to give the school the option of having another intake of students taught through English in September 2026.
This means it will be 2032 before the school becomes lán Gaeilge. The trust has also now appointed a project coordinator to assist the school with the change of status process.
The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.
There is growing demand for Irish-medium education, particularly in the Dublin area. Several primary schools have staged protests outside Leinster House to call for progress with a post-primary gaelcholáistí.