O'Dowd Clarifies Dickson Plan Reports

Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has clarified the current position on the Dickson plan in light of recent media reports.

Mr O'Dowd said: "There has been much debate over the past few months on the future of the Dickson plan within the Craigavon area. This debate has intensified in recent days following an Assembly debate and in particular, media reports today.

"Firstly, I want to point out that any proposals in relation to the Dickson Plan are not my proposals. It is a matter for the relevant managing authorities in the first instance to determine the appropriate structure of future provision for children living in the Dickson Plan area.

"Following the public consultation on the draft Post-primary Area Plan, the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) issued an options paper to the Boards of Governors of all of the controlled post-primary schools in the Dickson Plan.

"The paper summarised the main options arising from the area plan consultation and asked for Boards’ of Governors views. This consultation with the Boards of Governors is not a ballot with results deciding the outcome of the process. Rather, the returns will be taken into account, by the SELB, alongside all other evidence and data, including departmental policy, when deciding the way forward."

It is understood proposals to change the secondary schooling system were met by strong opposition in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

The Dickson Plan, which allows children to avail of a comprehensive education until the age of 14, has operated in the area for the last 40 years, but this is an exception to the rest of Northern Ireland, where children's post-primary schools are selected at 11.

(JP/MH)