Byrne questions the lack of higher education provision in Strabane!!

Byrne questions the lack of higher education provision in Strabane

Mr. Joe Byrne MLA for West Tyrone questions the Minister for Employment and Learning on the current level of higher education provision delivered by the Regional Colleges in Omagh and Strabane.

The SDLP Representative for West Tyrone was eager to hear what the Minister for Employment and Learning had to say regarding the current level of higher education provision in Strabane.

At present South West College delivers higher education provision for 145 full-time and 443 part-time students at its Omagh campus covering a range of courses. While Byrne commends the excellent standard of education on offer at South West Regional College in Omagh, he would like to see the campus grow further and provide a wider range of course, for a greater number of students.

The representative for West Tyrone was however, unhappy to hear that North West Regional College in Strabane delivers part-time higher education provision for only 40 students, covering a limited range of course. Once again, Byrne commends the excellent efforts of staff and students at North West Regional College; however, the lack of a full-time higher education provision in a town of Strabane’s size is totally unsatisfactory.

In a time of economic and social hardship the people of Strabane and its surrounding areas deserve to have full-time higher education on their doorstep, they shouldn’t have to travel at considerable expense to receive higher education. Strabane has suffered for too long; its residents should have access to the training and education that will enable them to emerge from the current economic difficulties.

Byrne calls on the Minster to give the people of Strabane access to full-time education on their doorsteps and put an end to the current unsatisfactory situation.