A local parish priest has hit out at the body responsible for Catholic schools in Northern Ireland as it goes forward with a proposal to close a Co Tyrone primary school.
Fivemiletown priest Father Brendan Gallagher has criticised the proposal by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools to close St Mary’s PS, which has 43 pupils and three classrooms.
The ultimate decision on whether to close the school will be taken by a Stormon Education Minister, or in the absence of an Executive, a Permanent Secretary.
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Fr Gallagher described the decision to close the school later this year as a ‘blow to the local community’ and accused the CCMS of not engaging with him in efforts to mediate the process.
“St Mary’s in Fivemiletown is at the heart of our parish community, and is central to the survival of our parish church into the future,” Fr Gallagher said.
“The longstanding shared education partnership with Fivemiletown Primary School is evidence of a commitment to improving community relations, and the proposal to close this well-loved school would indeed be a great blow to our local community.
“CCMS have failed to engage in any meaningful way with me, in my role as a local Trustee, at any stage in this process, and have failed to respond to my attempts to contact them.”
“The Board of Governors has put forward numerous options for the future, none of which were given proper consideration at the earlier stages of this process.
“I am appealing directly to those responsible for this proposal to withdraw it, and engage with us on how we can support all of the children of Fivemiletown to grow and learn within their local community.”
The CCMS said it has engaged with those in the school community and is continuing to explore options to keep the school open.
“The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) understands that the possible closure of a small school can be challenging and does not progress any such proposal lightly,” a spokesperson said.
“CCMS appreciates the valuable work of Catholic schools and knows communities value their local school.
“CCMS has engaged with St Mary’s Primary School Board of Governors, staff, and school community on potential options for sustainable provision in the area.
“Further to discussions with Bishop Duffy, on behalf of the St. Michael’s Educational Trust, trustee of the school, CCMS has confirmed with the school that it will continue to explore any sustainable option for St Mary’s Primary School during the current statutory objection period.”
Political representatives in the area from all sides of the community have backed calls for the school to remain open.
Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA Áine Murphy said the school is a focal point for the Fivemiletown community.
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“The school has a long tradition of providing top class education to children from Fivemiletown and the surrounding areas as well as playing a key part in a support network for those residing nearby. This is a rural school and given the opportunity, it can thrive,” Murphy said.
DUP MLA for the area, Deborah Erskine, says the closure would be a blow and ‘should not just come down to figures on a page’.
“The proposed closure of St Mary’s Primary School, will be detrimental on the progress to build upon improving community relationships and destroy the fantastic shared learning opportunities linked with the Controlled Schools nearby,” Erskine said.
“Our schools are at the heart of good community relations and it would be shameful to see many years of work gone.”
The school could close from 31 August but a group representing parents, governors and staff believe it currently meets minimum standards set out under the Sustainable Schools Policy Framework.
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