Stranmillis To Merge With QUB?

One of Northern Ireland's two dedicated teacher-training colleges could merge with Queen's University.

Stranmillis University College is considering a complete merger with Queen's University in Belfast.

Both Stranmillis and St Mary's university colleges are facing a fall in the number of students they are allowed to accept.

That is because of the downturn in the number of pupils in schools.

Both have diversified into non-teaching degrees but it is believed the government has called a halt to the development of further courses.

According to reports today, Stranmillis is now considering how to face the future and is investigating a merger with Queen's.

However, a dispute has already arisen as the DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt has insisted that said staff had complained they are in the dark about the proposal.

He said he is also worried that the result could be the loss of the site to developers.

In counterpoint, the Chairman of Stranmillis governing body, Steve Costello, said the talks were tentative at the moment.

He said the site was not at risk because Queen's would intend to site all its teaching courses in the Stranmillis buildings.

"We've been in consultation with Queen's as with other providers over the last, effectively, six months or so," he said.

"What Jimmy Spratt has been saying about the land... he could have asked that question yesterday and he didn't.

"Quite cleary the board of Stranmillis will not negotiate that land, that is going to be for educational use."

Meanwhile, members of the NI Assembly Employment and Learning Committee have been officially informed Stranmillis College in south Belfast is considering the merger following a fall in the number of students they will train.

(BMcC)