Principal of crumbling Co Tyrone school blasts education chiefs over ‘continued neglect’

“Our children deserve better, and our community should not be left to shoulder the responsibilities.”

A Northern Ireland school principal has accused education bosses of “continued neglect” and ignoring her school as it awaits urgent repairs.

Pupils are due to return to Blessed Patrick O’Loughran PS in Co Tyrone this week but its principal Michelle McGauley says the school’s list of unaddressed issues is “long and unacceptable”. The school, based in Castlecaulfield near Dungannon, only opened in April 2002, but now it’s facing numerous structural problems.

These include rotten fascia and barge boards, crumbling plaster on the walls in some classrooms and large pieces of cement falling from the roof. There is also water leaking through the ceiling in one of the classrooms, causing one of the ceiling tiles to crumble and fall to the floor.

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In an open letter to parents, guardians, the local community, education chiefs and elected representatives, Ms McGauley said: “I write this letter out of both deep frustration and deep gratitude. Frustration, because despite repeated appeals to the Education Authority for urgent maintenance and safety works, our school continues to be ignored.

“Gratitude, because in the absence of that support, it has been you—our parents, past pupils, and local businesses—who have stepped forward time and again to provide what our children need.

“The list of unaddressed issues is long and unacceptable. Interior walls in our school require re-plastering and repainting, leaving classrooms dull and damaged instead of bright, welcoming spaces for learning. Of even greater concern are the hazardous fascia boards around pupils’ entrances, which pose a real safety risk daily.

“These are not cosmetic matters. They are essential works that fall under the duty of care of the Education Authority, and their continued neglect is indefensible. These issues were first reported in early 2023. In March 2025 we were assured by our maintenance officers from the Education Authority that these issues would be addressed before the new school year. They have yet to be given funding approval.”

Ms McGauley praised the school community for its “extremely proactive” fundraising and accessing external funding: “Over the years we have accessed external grants from various grants/funds totalling over £30,000 to pay for playground equipment, sensory garden equipment, polytunnel and environmental education.

“Our parents also had an extremely successful Cash for Kids fundraising initiative which not only raised £30,000 within a period of a month but also a £3,000 prize. This money bought much needed ICT equipment – an excellent boost to the school with additional iPads and laptops.”

The principal added that increased enrolment has also placed further strain on the school’s already inadequate facilities: “Our numbers have increased by 50 pupils in the past 20 years. In September 2025 we will have 126 pupils enrolled. Because of an increase of over 10 to our approved 17 applications to Year 1 the school sought an application for a temporary variation for DENI approval which was granted under the condition that no further accommodation would be requested.

“As a result, the school was forced to source a modular classroom independently. Groundworks, plumbing, and electrical work—all of which should have been properly funded—will now instead be carried out through the extraordinary generosity of our community.

“Parents and past pupils have very generously volunteered their time and labour. Local businesses have loaned equipment, have provided expertise, and in some cases even extended financial credit to ensure our children will have the classroom they require in September.

“It is no exaggeration to say that without this community, this additional classroom would not exist. On behalf of our pupils and staff, I extend my deepest thanks to everyone who has and will continue to give their time, skills, or resources. Your generosity has and will carry this school through when official channels have failed us.

“But gratitude alone does not settle debts. We now face the challenge of fundraising to repay the businesses who trusted and supported us. It should not fall to parents, friends and community to underwrite the responsibilities of the Education Authority, and yet here we are—once again relying on our school community to make up for their neglect.”

The school says its plans to launch a fundraising campaign in the coming weeks to honour the generosity already shown and ensure its children learn in safe, dignified, and properly maintained facilities.

Ms McGauley added: “This open letter is not only a call for help—it is a statement of accountability. The Education Authority has a duty to ensure that schools are safe, fit for purpose, and properly maintained. They have failed in this duty to Blessed Patrick O’Loughran PS. Our children deserve better, and our community should not be left to shoulder the responsibilities.

“Our school motto is ‘Small Hands, Big Futures.’ It is a daily reminder that the children in our care deserve the very best start in life. Right now, those small hands are being let down by the very authority meant to safeguard their education and wellbeing. Our community has stepped up — now it’s time for the Education Authority to do the same.

“I therefore also call directly on our elected representatives—our councillors, MLAs, and MPs—to stand with us and to challenge the Education Authority to act. Our pupils’ safety and wellbeing must not be delayed, debated, or overlooked any longer. We urgently need political voices to amplify this message and to hold the responsible authorities to account.”

Mid-Ulster councillor Kevin McElvogue is also calling for urgent action: “It’s very disappointing that the maintenance hasn’t been carried out at Blessed Patrick O’Loughran primary school. I met with two of the maintenance officers from the Education Authority on March 14, who assured the principal and myself that the work would be carried out during the summer holidays.

“I’d classify this a major health and safety issue, as fascia and barge boards are rotten and large pieces of cement are falling from the roof. Plaster is also crumbling from the walls in some of the classrooms. There is also water leaking through the ceiling in one of the classrooms where one of the ceiling tiles has crumbled and fell to the floor.

“The Education Authority needs to step up to the mark and get these repairs carried out immediately. A primary school should be a safe environment for the pupils and staff.”

The Education Authority has been approached for comment.

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