Protests are set to take place outside a language school in Co Limerick following a sudden closure, which has left students stranded and teachers unpaid.
The closure of the Limerick English language school was confirmed by staff and students based their Student Campus on Patrick Street. They said that classes have been suspended for two weeks, after receiving two emails from management.
Teachers have reportedly been claiming that they have not been paid in roughly two months.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, one of the teachers at the Student Campus, Massilia, had said that it was evident that the school had been struggling financially for a long time, with staff allegedly unpaid, except in partial wages with messages indicating that the company lacked substantial funds.
Massilia has claimed that there has been a huge breakdown in communication from management.
“We received a few ‘sorry for the inconvenience’ emails, but now they haven’t been communicating at all about when we will be paid", she told the Irish Independent.
The teacher, who has worked at the campus since 2024, said that students had repeatedly tried to contact management, but have not been successful.
“They’ve been trying to talk to someone, but obviously there’s absolutely nobody there", she said.
She added that staff are owed a significant amount of money in wages: “Teachers are owed anywhere from €2,500 to €5,000. Teachers are now struggling to live".
Such is the lack of the communication, Massilia has claimed that staff and students have been left completely in the dark, adding that students have been so distressed, they have been forced to contact the Irish Council for International Students.
She added that they are seeking advice on their immigration status and their options for continuing their studies in Ireland.
“They’re in a state of confusion, they’re stressed, they’re panicking,” she said. “Some of them are thinking of getting a plane ticket and going home. They just don’t know what to do".
Massilia also told the Irish Independent that some international students have paid fees to the school, but are yet to travel to Ireland, and that some students only found out about this situation when they arrived.
“Students arrived two weeks ago only to realise that the school is closed", she explained.
One student, a Brazilian national called Fabrício told the Irish Independent that the first notice he received had noted planned renovations, with the second one announcing the temporary closure. He also claimed that students have not received any clear information regarding refunds or whether or not classes would resume in the future.
Students and staff are expected to protest outside the school tomorrow (June 26).
