Community wants to maintain 3 schools in Loughgilly - Sinn Féin
Published: 10 July, 2009
Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy has said that after widespread discussion with members of the community in Loughgilly parish he believes the majority of people feel that three of the four primary schools in the area should remain.
Mr Murphy said,
"CCMS has undergone a consultation regarding the future of St Brigid's PS Drumilly, St Laurence O'Toole's PS Belleek, St Malachy's PS Ballymoyer and St Therese's PS Tullyheron due to a reduction in attendance levels at the four schools. As a result of this consultation a number of proposals have been put forward."
CCMS's proposals include:
· The closure of 4 schools, with the building of 1 school in Whitecross catering for the entire parish.
· The closure of 2 schools, one between Ballymoyer and Tullyheron with another between Belleek and Drumilly.
· The closure of 1 school with the other three remaining open.
"All four schools have provided first class educational services to the children of Loughgilly parish for many years and I would love to see them remain open. Unfortunately due to the pupil numbers in the area the CCMS has stated that the preservation of all four schools has become increasingly difficult.
Two schools in the parish have approached me for a letter of support which I subsequently provided, each school in the area has a strong and unique identity within the parish.
However CCMS is determined to make cutbacks, I strongly believe that the community should stand together and fight for the betterment of our community. The closure of all four school and the other proposals put forward by CCMS are not an option. The best possible alternative to the current situation is the retention of 3 schools in the parish.
Unfortunately, the future of four schools in the parish and community is not feasible. We should now fight to maintain as much of the parish identity as possible. I and my colleagues in Sinn Féin will do all we can to assist the area in its campaign
Sinn Féin Councilor for the area Jimmy McCreesh agreed with the MP's Analysis and said,
"Having been involved in the consultation process myself, and after widespread discussion with families, teachers and the wider community, it appears that the option of maintaining three is the most suited, we need to approach the matter in a realistic fashion and fight for what is beat for the parish of Loughgilly."
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