The Education Minister has been accused of “tearing the heart out of rural communities” by closing schools in Fermanagh.   

SDLP Assembly candidate, Richie McPhillips made the remark as he pledged his support to ensure the sustainable future of St Aidan’s High School in Derrylin. 

Last year, the CCMS confirmed that the post-primary school was “to be permanently retained” while the amalgamation between St Eugene’s College, Roslea and St Comhghall’s College, Lisnaskea went to public consultation. Their future was decided last month when the Education Minister John O’Dowd announced his intention to shut the two schools in favour of establishing a new post-primary school in Lisnaskea.  

While canvassing in Derrylin and Kinawley at the weekend, Cllr McPhillips says he came across “great alarm and concern from parents” about the future of St Aidan’s. He is also “objecting to St Aidan’s facing the same disgraceful fate” as other schools in the south and east of the county. 

“There is a need to address the sustainability issues of the other post-primary schools in south Fermanagh.

“I fully support the Save St. Aidan’s Action Group who have carried out a tremendous campaign to keep their school open and ensure the long term sustainability at Derrylin by directly challenging the CCMS and the Education Minister.

“Minister John O’Dowd’s policy is tearing the heart out of rural communities. If they are left unchallenged at Stormont, our primary schools will be next in the firing line and facing closure. Boards of Governors having been told at recent meetings that 80% of primary schools in Fermanagh will be running on a deficit in the next financial year,” Mr McPhillips said.  

His comments come amid warnings that shorter schools days, larger class sizes, fewer teachers and subjects being slashed could all be on the cards for local secondary schools. Groups representing post primary schools in the voluntary grammar, controlled and Catholic sectors say funding deficits due to rising staff costs and not enough money from the Department of Education is to blame. School leaders say this will lead to reduced subject choices at GCSE and A-Level, larger class sizes and a potentially shorter school day. There could also be an increase in non-specialist teachers delivering school curriculums and fewer educational opportunities for pupils. 

Mr McPhillips added: “Schools are already struggling to cope at this very moment in time to keep within their reduced budget. They will now face serious cuts in their running costs, something that will undoubtedly impact on children and their education. This cannot be allowed to happen.” 

Minister O’Dowd has said his education budget is “facing great challenges” but has stressed that Stormont cannot give schools “money we simply do not have”.    

“It has to be remembered that the Executive’s budget has been cut year on year over the last six years and the Westminister government’s austerity policy is having a detrimental impact,” he said on Friday.