BYRNE PRESENTS PETITION TO ASSEMBLY ON RURAL SCHOOLS

On Monday of this week Joe Byrne, SDLP MLA for West Tyrone, presented a petition to the Assembly on behalf of rural schools in the Castlederg/ Newtownstewart areas. The three schools involved are Envagh Primary School, Dregish, Model Primary School,Newtownstewart and St Francis of Assisi Primary School, Drumnabay.

Speaking in the Assembly, while handing in the petition, Mr Byrne said that:

“Uncertainty hanging over these schools needs to be clarified so that parents and staff are assured of the department’s position. The 105 criteria of pupil numbers has left many parents in a dilemma not knowing what the future holds for their local school. The 105 pupil numbers requirement is forcing some parents in rural areas to consider sending their children to a bigger school which they think might have a sustainable future.”

“The Campaign Group for these rural schools are concerned about the Draft WELB Strategic Area Plan proposals for the Western Board Area and the effect these proposals will have on all of the rural schools and the communities that they support. They believe that rural schools are the focus of their communities and that any proposals that would involve any change need to be thoroughly investigated before any action is taken.”

“As an MLA for West Tyrone’ I have attended a number of public meetings about this schools issue in Omagh and Strabane districts. Many local rural communities that have a small rural school are deeply concerned and fearful about the future of their small rural primary school. The reality is that the local primary school is at the heart of the community, and indeed could be described as the ‘heartbeat of the community’.  John O Dowd, the Education Minister, must be more definite and clear-cut in having a small schools policy which reflects rural proofing as outlined in the DARD White Paper on rural communities”.

‘Finally, it is crucial that the CCMS, the WELB and the Department of Education work closely to protect our rural primary schools and ensure the viability of rural communities into the future.”