Concerns raised over proposed Irish Medium Primary

A PROPOSAL to establish a new grant-aided, Irish-medium primary school in Ballymena has seen concerns raised by both borough councillors and the North Eastern Education Board, not least with the fact that there are currently in excess of 1200 surplus places in the local primary sector.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2010, 10:04 BST
Updated 8th Feb 2010, 14:18 BST

Having previously sought the response of the Board to the development proposal for Gaelscoil Choin Ri Uladh - a co-educational school for up to 120 P1-P7 pupils , this was presented at last Monday night’s monthly meeting of Council at Ardeevin.

It stated: “The Board would have some concerns relating to the surplus capacity in existing primary schools in the Ballymena area...The establishment of the school may weaken the enrolment in some existing primary schools in the area...The Board would have concerns in respect of the long term viability of this proposal in the context where there have been recent rationalisations of the schools’ estate and where this is a serious surplus of school places in the area”.

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Councillors were reminded that back in 2007, rationalisation within the maintained sector resulted in the closure of four primaries and the establishment of two new schools within Ballymena town.

More recently, the NEELB has undertaken a review of controlled primary provision in the town which resulted in the publication of a Development Proposal in November, last year, recommending the closure of a controlled primary - Ballee.

Speaking out on the issue, Alderman Hubert Nicholl said: “It is difficult to understand the plan to open another primary school when the decision has been taken to close a controlled primary. They are going to have to find the money for this building”.

In the Board’s response, it was, however, pointed out that a bid would be made to the Department of Education to fund the new school in the first financial year and to meet any other additional costs associated with its operation, thereafter, the school would be funded through the Common Funding Formula.

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Meanwhile, SF North Antrim MLA has queried the Minister of Education what action her Department has taken in relation to the possible opening of the bunscoil in Ballymena, potentially later this year.

In a written response, she replied: “The statutory two-month consultation period on the proposal ended on 26 January,2010. I will make a decision on the proposal, taking account of all the pertinent issues and the comments received as soon as possible.

“You will appreciate, I cannot comment on any proposals in advance of my decision”.

Related topics:Ballymena