Revealed: Roof Leaks And Mould Close Classrooms At Curragh Community College - Students To Walk Out

The situation has frustrated students so much that some of them are planning a walkout on Tuesday.

Kfm News has learned that roof defects at Curragh Community College have forced the closure of classrooms and triggered off-site teaching arrangements for senior students.

The situation has frustrated students so much that some of them are planning a walkout on Tuesday. 

It is understood that three classrooms were shut in early December after heavy rainfall caused significant persistent leaks and the rapid spread of black mould, raising health and safety concerns.

The deterioration followed prolonged rain in October, with water ingress and bio-growth making parts of the building unsafe for use.

The classrooms were closed on December 11th - first and second-year students were moved to online learning while the school sought an emergency response from the Department of Education.

It is understood that an emergency works application is now in place.

As an interim measure, a revised timetable will be introduced from Monday. 

Sixth-year students will travel to the Kildare Further Education and Training Centre on Thursdays and Fridays, while fifth years will attend off-site on Mondays and Wednesdays.

All students will remain on the Curragh campus on Tuesdays, when additional classrooms become available due to LCA students being on work experience. 

A dedicated morning bus is being provided to transport students to the off-site location.

The changes are aimed at keeping as much teaching in person as possible and ensuring every student remains fully timetabled, while managing reduced classroom capacity.

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall said he was shocked by the conditions and that children and staff have to work in such conditions.

Teachers and local representatives have warned of overcrowded classrooms and staff areas, inadequate and unsanitary toilets, structural hazards and the absence of safe social spaces.

The pressure stems from a 2018 decision to expand the school to absorb overflow from Kildare town and Newbridge, on the understanding that a new school would be delivered at the former Magee Barracks site.

However, despite contracts for the site being signed in 2022 and planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála in February, no construction has yet begun.

The project remains at tender stage, with the Department of Education originally stating that a contractor would be appointed late last year.

A letter of intent to the successful bidder was expected to be issued before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Kfm news recently reported how a third-year student at the school who dreams of becoming a vet may be forced to leave her school because it does not have the facilities to support her studies.

Sophie Evans is one of around 300 students at Curragh Community College - a school built for just 140 pupils. 

The school has no specialist rooms for subjects like science, limiting subject choice and progression for students.

Sophie Evans said the teachers and  students at the school "are great" and she really does not want to leave.