TECHNOLOGY: Geraldine O’Halloran Killarney Community College), Roisin Moore (St Brigid’s) and Bridget Lucey (St Brendan’s College), pictured with students from the three schools accepting funding for technology equipment from Denis Doolan and John Fuller from Killarney Lions Club. Photo: Michelle Crean  

By Michelle Crean

A kind-hearted local group who assist various groups and individuals have done it again - this time helping students have better access to technology. Given the difficult year which saw students switch to online learning, Killarney Lions Club knew that this might have a financial consequence for some families.

So, they opted to donated €750 to each of the three main local secondary schools, St Brigid’s Presentation, Killarney Community College and St Brendan’s College, which will provide equal access to information technology for all students.

President of Killarney Lions Club John Fuller said that they are very aware of how young peoples’ experience of school has changed, thus putting extra pressure on some families.

"We hope this support will enable second-level schools in Killarney to help students and families who may be disadvantaged by what has happened over the past year."

Principal at St Brendan’s Sean Coffey outlined how the monies would assist the strategic support of a number of students in accessing the curriculum.

“Appropriate devices have become key for engagement in education by all students," he said.

"This assistance will allow targeted support to be delivered where it is most needed.”

Principal at Killarney Community College, Stella Loughnane, highlighted the need now, more than ever, to provide education through new technologies.

“Schools now function in a very different space to that of only a few short years ago. ICT enhances all subject areas and provides schools an opportunity to keep students engaged in their learning during these uncertain times.”

Róisín Moore, Principal at St Brigid’s also welcomed the news, stating that the financial support offered by the Killarney Lions Club will further strengthen the school’s ability to support students whose engagement with remote learning was compromised due to difficulty accessing devices.

“The school provided in excess of 40 devices to students during the period of school closure. However, some of these devices are reaching end of life. The Lions funding will enable us to address this."