50 Primary Principals speak out against Independent Newspapers’ “Building for the Future” promotion.

national | education | press release Thursday January 14, 2010 09:25 by Mark C - Campaign for Commercial-Free Education fogarty.joseph at gmail dot com 086 3220688

“We the undersigned 50 Primary school principals condemn and refuse to partake in the Irish Independent’s “Building for the Future” scheme being launched this week.

We abhor the quota of 20 tokens per pupil from Independent Newspapers required of all schools wishing to submit a project for this sponsored competition.

Independent Newspapers while posturing as benefactors are, in reality, seeking to exploit schools, boost sales and make life uncomfortable for children whose parents do not buy the sponsors newspapers.

Further Information: Joseph Fogarty, (Contact Details Above) or your nearest participating school below.

The same Independent Newspapers who have railed ceaselessly about the apparent brevity of our school year now demand that principals spend our days collecting quotas of tokens, pressurising children, pestering parents and wasting teaching time.

Each single stream school that enters (8 classes X 27 children X 20 tokens X €1.80 per copy) must give the teacher-bashing Independent Newspapers €7,776 in sales plus thousands more in free advertising and promotion within the school and wider community.

Our stance is supported by the Irish Primary Principals Network and INTO whose executives have recommended that schools should be free from commercial presentations aimed at children and their families, including token redemptions schemes such as Building for the Future.

Having suffered months of insult and contempt from the pages of Independent Newspapers, we refuse to act as salespeople and urge other schools to boycott this commercially-driven promotion. We are content to use newspapers generally as aids to literacy development and teaching tools within the classroom.”

Signed:

John Threadgold - Principal, Leighlinbridge N.S. Co. Carlow

Martin Duffy - Principal, Our Lady's NS Nurney, Co. Carlow

Feargal Hurley - Principal, Scoil an Chroí Ró Naofa, Blarney, Co. Cork

Mícheál Ó Draighneáin - Príomhoide, Scoil Bhailenóra, Corcaigh.

Michael Daly - Principal, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal B, Glasheen BNS, Cork.

Kenneth McCarthy - Príomhoide, Kilmeen National School, Rossmore, Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Séamus O Connor - Principal, Scoil Bhríde, Crosshaven, Co. Cork.

David Oliver - Principal, Ballyraine NS, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

Nóirín Mhic Ualghairg-Príomhoide, Scoil Cholmcille, Duibhlinn Riabhach, Dún na nGall.

Tony Healy - Principal, St. Oliver Plunkett School, Malahide, Co Dublin

Sinead O'Kane - Principal, Griffith Barracks Multi D School, Co. Dublin.

Mark Cunningham - Principal, Holy Family J.N.S, River Valley, Swords, Co Dublin.

Maeve Daly - Príomhoide, Fionnbarra Naofa B.N.S., Cabra West, Dublin 7.

Seán O'Connor - Principal, St. Damian's NS, Walkinstown, Co Dublin

Attracta Hayden - Principal, Glasnevin Educate Together, Church Ave. Dublin 6.

Proinsias Ó hÓgáin - Príomhoide, Scoil San Treasa, Mount Merrion, Co. Dublin.

Angela Power - Principal, St Oliver Plunkett NS, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

Gerry Cogan - Principal,Our Lady of Consolation Sch, Donnycarney, Dublin 5.

Gráine Mc Gowan - Principal, Mt Anville PS, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.

Miriam Jenkinson - Principal, St. Patrick’s Junior School, Skerries, Co. Dublin.

Ann Creaner - Principal, St Columba's NS, North Strand, Dublin 3.

Jim Ryan - Principal, St. Bernadette's SNS, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin.

Yvonne Carroll - Principal, St Brigid's Girls School, Killester, Co. Dublin.

Mark Candon - Principal, St. Laurence O’Toole’s CBS, North Wall, Dublin 1.

Breda Murphy - Principal, Newcastle NS, Athenry, Co. Galway.

John Reilly - Príomhoide, S N Cearn Mór, Carnmore, Oranmore, Galway.

Breda Murphy - Principal, Newcastle NS, Athenry, Co. Galway.

Bernadette Moylan - Principal, Ardrahan N.S., Labane, Ardrahan, Co Galway.

Seán Ó hArgáin - Príomhoide, Gaelscoil Osraí, Loch Buí, Cill Chainnigh.

Aisling Tighe - Principal, Creevelea NS, Co. Leitrim

Pádraig Mc Eneany - Principal, St. Finian's NS., Dillonstown, Co. Louth.

Ann-Marie Stenson - Principal, Aghamore NS, Co Mayo

Siobhán Geraghty - Principal, Coogue NS, Co. Mayo.

Mary A. Cawley - Principal, Crossmolina National School, Co Mayo.

Fergal Fitzpatrick - Principal, Bohermeen N.S. Co. Meath.

William Keegan - Principal, St. Columbanus' NS, Ballivor, Co Meath

Damian White - Principal, Scoil Shinchill, Killeigh, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Emmett Breathnach - Principal, Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Rahan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.

Úna Feeley -Principal, Scoil Mhuire Convent Primary Sch, Co. Roscommon

Ríona Lynch - Principal, Cloonfour NS, Rooskey, Co. Roscommon.

Kevin Giblin - Principal, Tibohine N.S.,Castlerea, Co.Roscommon.

John O'Neill - Principal, Summerhill Primary School, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

Joseph Fogarty - Principal, Corballa NS, Co. Sligo

Michelle Bonner - Principal, Stokane NS, Castleconnor Co. Sligo.

Pat O'Halloran - Principal, Monastery School, Tipperary.

Treasa Nic Dhiarmada- Príomhoide, Gaelscoil Chluain Meala, An Baile Gaelach, Cluain Meala. Co Thiobraid Árann.

Siobhan Doyle - Principal, Scoil Eoin Baiste, Galbally, Co. Wexford

Loraine Rösler - Principal, Kilnamanagh N.S. Oulart, Co.Wexford.

Pat Gately - Principal, SN Clochar Mhuire, Wexford.

Rory Healy - Principal, St. Patrick's N.S. Bearna Chlé, Co. Wicklow.