For nearly 30 years, Scoil an Chroí Naofa, Ballinasloe has been waiting for a new school building.
Our 300 pupils are learning in unsafe, outdated classrooms — split across a busy main road, with crumbling walls and no insulation.

It’s time for the Department of Education to keep its promise and build a modern school worthy of our children.

 
🏫 Who Are We?

• Scoil an Chroí Naofa is a DEIS Band 1 primary school in the heart of Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. 
• We have 300 pupils, a waiting list we can’t clear, and a deep commitment to inclusion and opportunity for every child — including pupils from Traveller backgrounds, 21 nationalities, and children with Autism and Developmental Language Delay.
• Despite our best efforts, we’re trying to provide 21st-century education in buildings that belong to another era.

 
⚠️ What’s Wrong?

• For almost three decades, generations of children have been forced to learn in unsafe, inadequate facilities:
• The school operates on two sites divided by a busy main road, putting pupils at risk every day.
• One building was constructed in 1937, the other in 1972 — a “temporary” prefab with no insulation and failing infrastructure.
• Energy bills consume our entire capitation grant, leaving nothing for vital learning resources.
• Despite repeated submissions — most recently our Stage 2B package in March 2025 — the project has still not been approved for construction.

 
❤️ What Are We Asking?

• We, the pupils, parents, staff, Board of Management, and wider Ballinasloe community, call on the Minister for Education and the Department of Education to act now.

👉 We demand:

1. Immediate approval and progression of Scoil an Chroí Naofa’s long-overdue new school building.
2. Delivery of a modern, inclusive, and energy-efficient facility that reflects the worth and potential of the children of Ballinasloe

✊ Why does it matter?

• Our teachers and staff continue to create a warm, caring, and inclusive environment, but goodwill isn’t enough.
  Every child deserves safe, modern classrooms where they can learn, grow, and dream big.
• It’s unacceptable that in 2025, the main primary school in a town the size of Ballinasloe is still waiting — after three decades of promises.

 
📣 Add Your Voice:

• Please sign and share this petition to send a clear message to decision-makers:

The children of Ballinasloe deserve a safe and modern school — now!