Local MLAs flag concerns over rural schools

The concerns are over the Education Minister Peter Weir's proposed Area Plan for Northern Ireland.

The draft plan was outlined earlier this week - and provides a framework for deciding which schools are unsustainable and which are not.

The DUP minister said the proposed plans were "focuse[d] on providing children and young people with high-quality education that meets their needs and enables them to achieve their full potential."

Schools would be judged on "six criteria" as to their sustainability.

While financial viability may be one of the reasons why schools would be one of the six criteria - educational experience and enrolment trends as well as other reasons were given.

"We have too many small primary schools with more than two year groups in a single class," the North Down-based MLA said.

"There are too many schools with too few pupils to generate sufficient funds to deliver the curriculum to an acceptable level. It is a real issue, particularly in schools with very small sixth forms," he added.

"The challenge that faces almost all local government districts is that we have schools that are too small to adequately provide for their pupils and ensure that they have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. I will say it again: this is something that cannot continue; the status quo is not an option," he continued.

Peter Weir's intentions were questioned after his statement in front of the Assembly.

Ulster Unionist MLAs Sandra Overend and Rosemary Barton stated their fears unequivocally.

"I would seriously doubt the basis upon which his statement has been made today," Sandra Overend, MLA for Mid Ulster said.

"It is my fear that, in fact, the proposals coming forward today are a result of a drive to cut costs rather than a cross-sectoral strategy to provide better education and improved opportunities for our children and young people," she added.

Overend, party spokesperson on Education also alluded to the move being a "smokescreen" to bring about "meagre savings" when it came to the operation of schools across rural areas.

"There is much about this proposal which is deeply concerning not least that it is actually based on the Sustainable Schools Policy still lingering from two mandates ago," she said, 

"Given the financial context outlined in the draft it is clear that the changes proposed are motivated by the need to cut costs rather than a concern for the quality of provision," she added.

Rosemary Barton, MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone said she had real concerns over the potential impact the proposals could have on schools situated in rural areas.

"As an MLA for the largely rural area of Fermanagh & South Tyrone it is deeply concerning to hear that the Minister has made an announcement today that will almost certainly affect small rural schools," she said.

"Rural schools simply cannot compete with the targets and measures that are being set by the Minister of Education, the Department and the Education Authority," she continued.

"In my view there should be a flexible approach to implementing Area Based Planning that allows for the development and success of rural schools. It shows a general disregard of rural needs and the city bias of this Belfast-centric Executive. It is simply not good enough," she added.

Meanwhile, West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff said he believed those affected by the draft plans should study them closely, adding that was most important to him and his party was the best outcome for children and young people.

"People do need to study the Minister's proposals, it's clear that his direction of travel is to bring about a number of closures and number of amalgamations," he said.

"But whatever comes out the other side, I hope it'll be in the best educational interests of children and young people," he added.