Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Protect Anamar School - Sinn Féin

Published: 13 February, 2009

Sinn Féin councillor, Terry Hearty has said that Anamar school which has existed for 170 years should not be closed. Cllr Hearty has campaigned on this issue for some time has attended a number of meetings with local MP Conor Murphy over the past week regarding the proposed closure of the school.

Commenting on the issue Cllr Hearty said,

"The preservation of our rural communities is becoming increasingly in danger; to close this school would be a serious blow to this area."

"Sinn Féin have been to the fore in defending our communities from issues such as PPS14 which would have put extremely harsh restrictions on planning in rural areas."

"Our MLAs worked tirelessly to have this policy replaced. We have now reached a stage where we have a policy which will help to get much needed homes back in the heart of our community. It will allow for rural people to return to the town lands where they were born and reared. These proposals will make a major difference to schools like Anamar."

"At last week's meeting in the Rangers hall, it was made very clear by the Parents and Board of Governors that the only option is to keep Anamar school open.

"The only way forward now is to try and undo the damage caused by the assumptions of CCMS."

"As an elected representative for this area I pledge my full support to the parents of Anamar to keep this school open and will assist them in whatever way I can."