School closure issue raised at Stormont

Addressing the Assembly Mr Craig said: “Several weeks ago, the children of Dunmurry High School and Knockmore Primary School and their parents felt that they had been dealt an injustice, when the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) notified parents and teachers that it was its intention to close the schools at the end of this academic year.

“Both proposed closures have devastated the local communities and have left parents and children with very few options. Here we have two schools that are central to the communities in which they are situated and have served those communities well over their lifetime. Both schools offer a hub for the community through the opening up of their buildings for use by the community outside school hours. The decision to close them therefore comes as a blow not only to the parents, teachers and children but to the community as a whole.

“The most disappointing thing is that Knockmore Primary School is a good and viable school. It has excelled despite the pressure the board has placed on it by putting everyone at the school on a temporary contract. Exactly one year ago, the school came out with excellent results following an inspection. Given the criteria outlined by the Minister, one has to ask why this school has been targeted. Why is the special needs unit being separated from the mainstream school when, in truth, according to what the teachers and parents have to say, both are integral?

Lagan Valley MLA Mr Trevor Lunn welcomed the debate saying: “There is widespread dismay among the parents, pupils and staff of both schools. I am also glad that he took some time to lay out the process for improvement, which the Department does not seem to have followed very rigidly.”

Lagan Valley MLA , Alderman Paul Givan said: “I am concerned about why Knockmore Primary School has been singled out. There are a number of urban schools in the general locality in Lisburn. Why is there not a comprehensive review of all primary schools in that small section of Lisburn? The education standards and teaching in those schools could be looked at and a decision taken on the best way forward.”

He also asked the question: “Why are the commissioners still in place in the South Eastern Education and Library Board? Why are we being discriminated against in a way that no other education and library board area is being treated, with unelected and unaccountable commissioners taking these types of decisions?

Lagan Valley MLA Mr Edwin Poots commented: “There are two issues before us, the first of which is Dunmurry High School. I recognise that it is a failing school. Why has it been allowed to fail? Knockmore Primary School is a different case. The South Eastern Education and Library Board has acted wholly inappropriately. The school was meeting standards and did not fall below the thresholds set out by the Minister a few weeks ago. I actually agree with those thresholds, but Knockmore Primary School did not fall below the thresholds in respect of either numbers or the return given to pupils.

“The way Knockmore Primary School has been dealt with, in particular, has been wholly inappropriate, and as a consequence of their behaviour on this matter, great violence has been done to it and to children with disabilities.”

Education Minister Mr O’Dowd responded saying: “There are two different issues. Each was examined by the board around bringing forward development proposals but they are two unique and different issues.

“Again, no decision has been made on Knockmore. I will look at all the information provided to me on Knockmore. I listened to the comments of Members and I have no doubt that I will receive more comments as the process goes on. However, I think it was a mistake to bring both schools forward together. In my own mind, however, I have separated them, and I will, as with all development proposals, be able to make a decision on the basis of the development proposal.”