Education minister on tour of Portlaoise schools

EDUCATION minister Hildegarde Naughton is visiting Portlaoise today, as part of a series of ‘school community engagement’ events being held as part of the National Conversation on Education. 

Accompanied by local Fine Gael TD Willie Aird, the minister’s first stop at 9.30am was Portlaoise College, to celebrate the official opening of the new modular building. 

Other stops on her tour will include Kolbe Special School, Portlaoise Educate Together NS, Maryborough NS, Gaelscoil Phortlaoise and Laois Education Support Centre. 

At Portlaoise College this morning, Minister Naughton said: “It is 20 years since the school was first established. It has grown to a school with over 1,000 students and that has to be a testament to the great work being done here. 

“Portlaoise College has a proud reputation for inclusion, innovation and student engagement, and that is something you should all be very proud of. Schools thrive when there is strong partnership between students, families, educators and the wider community and that partnership is clearly alive and well here.” 

The minister thanked principal Noel Daly, deputy principals, board members, the LOETB and everyone involved in making the visit possible. 

Minister Naughton is expected to arrive at Kolbe Special School around lunchtime.