Teachers will protest outside a Dublin school today over plans to turn it into a Gaelcholáiste. The ASTI has warned members may be forced to consider industrial action if the concerns of students, parents and teachers at Synge Street CBS continue to be ignored.
The 160-year-old boys secondary school in Dublin 8 is due to become a co-ed Gaelcholáiste from September 2026. The union says a pause for a year would allow consultation with all those impacted, and for alternatives to be explored.
The ASTI has warned that teachers at Synge Street CBS may be forced to consider industrial action, if the school patron body continues its “zero consultation” approach to plans to turn the 160-year-old school into a Gaelcholáiste from September 2026.
Speaking ahead of an ASTI protest outside the school today (Thursday, May 8th), ASTI President Donal Cremin said that following the shock announcement by the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) in 2024, “Synge Street CBS students, parents and teachers continue to be ignored, bypassed and disregarded. This is despite the fact that earlier this year the school Board of Management declared its opposition to the ERST changes being introduced in 2026.”
Mr Cremin said: “ASTI teachers at the school continue to call for a pause in this unilaterally imposed decision, to allow for consultation with staff, parents and students.
“A pause for a year would allow teachers’ legitimate concerns to be addressed, for alternatives to be explored, and for a full consideration of what is best for the current school community as well for those who are seeking a Gaelcholáiste in the area.”
Up to 50 different nationalities are represented amongst the Synge Street student cohort and teachers are committed to providing a high quality education experience to the school community
“Teachers, like all workers, deserve basic respect and engagement regarding a major decision which will have a significant impact on their day-to-day lives and their futures,” said the ASTI President.
“The ASTI is now calling on ERST and the Department of Education to immediately defer any decision regarding the future of the school until a proper, respectful and just decision-making process is implemented.”
Students’ education will not be impacted by today’s protest.
