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02/07/2008
Minister Denies Integration Status
While final guidance on the 'future' of the 11+ remains pending, the NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has been busy with other decisions.
She has turned down a development proposal for Donaghadee High School to acquire integrated status.
Explaining her decision about the Co Down school, Ms Ruane said: "I recognise the considerable amount of work undertaken by the school and the parents in bringing forward this proposal.
"I appreciate this news will be disappointing, but every development proposal for transformation to integrated status is carefully considered against a number of criteria, one of which is the capability of the school to achieve a community balance of 10% of the minority religion in the first year intake and 30% of the total enrolment in the longer term.
"It is not evident that the school could meet this for a successful transformation," she insisted.
Meanwhile, Ms Ruane, has approved a proposal from the management committee of Gaelscoil an Damba, Belfast, to close the school with effect from 31 August.
Commenting on her decision, she said: "Gaelscoil an Damba was established five years ago by a small group of parents who wanted their children educated through the medium of Irish.
"Unfortunately the school has struggled to maintain viability with pupil numbers reaching only 29 in 2007/08.
"It is with regret that I have approved the proposal from the Management Committee to close the school.
"The school has taken the decision to close with the best educational interests of the children in mind and has worked carefully and sensitively to manage the closure and transfer of children.
"There are places available at other Irish-medium schools in this area that will be able to offer these pupils a broader educational experience within the medium of Irish," she continued.
"I would like to thank Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta for the support they have shown this school and the wider Irish-medium sector.
"I would also pay tribute to the Board of Governors, the teachers and staff for all the work that they have undertaken at the school over the years and I wish the pupils every success in their future education," she concluded.
(BMcC)
She has turned down a development proposal for Donaghadee High School to acquire integrated status.
Explaining her decision about the Co Down school, Ms Ruane said: "I recognise the considerable amount of work undertaken by the school and the parents in bringing forward this proposal.
"I appreciate this news will be disappointing, but every development proposal for transformation to integrated status is carefully considered against a number of criteria, one of which is the capability of the school to achieve a community balance of 10% of the minority religion in the first year intake and 30% of the total enrolment in the longer term.
"It is not evident that the school could meet this for a successful transformation," she insisted.
Meanwhile, Ms Ruane, has approved a proposal from the management committee of Gaelscoil an Damba, Belfast, to close the school with effect from 31 August.
Commenting on her decision, she said: "Gaelscoil an Damba was established five years ago by a small group of parents who wanted their children educated through the medium of Irish.
"Unfortunately the school has struggled to maintain viability with pupil numbers reaching only 29 in 2007/08.
"It is with regret that I have approved the proposal from the Management Committee to close the school.
"The school has taken the decision to close with the best educational interests of the children in mind and has worked carefully and sensitively to manage the closure and transfer of children.
"There are places available at other Irish-medium schools in this area that will be able to offer these pupils a broader educational experience within the medium of Irish," she continued.
"I would like to thank Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta for the support they have shown this school and the wider Irish-medium sector.
"I would also pay tribute to the Board of Governors, the teachers and staff for all the work that they have undertaken at the school over the years and I wish the pupils every success in their future education," she concluded.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
