A Few Thoughts

The Primary Education System envisaged by Stanley prior to 1831, when the National Schools

began to be built in Ireland, has largely remained an essential part of every Irish community to this very day. The child extends himself through playpen, kitchen, garden and through school, into the local community, to advance from there to maturity. It would be the function of the school, therefore, to provide the link between the home and the local community in this context, and to help the child integrate with the local community in whatever ways he’s suited, while also providing basis for further development.

Post-primary education, too, has flourished in this century, as has third level, with access available to all sections of society.

Great credit, in the local context is due to the Stokane community, under the leadership of the local Catholic Clergy, notably Fr. Martin Halloran and Fr. John George McHale, for finding ways to improve the facilities for local scholars —facilities their parents only dreamed of— and we hope all is appreciated.

I wish this publication every success, and will treasure a copy always. Long live the community which produced it.

Mise, le meas,

— Uinsiann Mac Mathúna, Príomhoide,

Scoil Náisiúnta an Stuacáin,

Meán Fómhair, 1991