UUP Education Spokesperson comments on proposed School Closures
Commenting on reports that the SEELB is to close four schools, and that further mergers and closures could be on the way, Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson David McNarry has said:
“When I talk to parents, what I detect is that they are the last to be informed about what’s going on. And what the SEELB are revealing is only the tip of the iceberg of their intentions.
“My concern is that they’re going to drip feed this out and they’re using falling rolls as a lamentable excuse when the real reason is that they cannot manage their budgets.
“The SEELB caved into the department’s demands for £4 million worth of cuts. My clear understanding is that there’s more of the same to come, and every possibility that next year will also see savage cuts and more closures.”
He added: “I have recently been meeting parents groups in Belfast and they have not a clue as to what the future holds for their schools. I repeat again how urgent it is for the department to come clean on a sustainable schools policy.
“The action that’s being taken on school closures is occurring without any sustainable schools policy in place, and the question arises – ‘what will be left when a sustainable schools policy is finally acted upon?’
“The confusion and certainty must end.”