‘Amalgamation not discrimination’ – Ruane
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has accompanied St Columbans Principal Pat Hannon to a meeting with Education Minister John O’Dowd to discuss the future of the school.
Speaking to Newry Times, Ruane explained,
“In the meeting with the Minister we stressed that everyone in the Kilkeel area have the best interests of the children at heart and that any decision should reflect that. At present there are two Catholic post primary schools and the vast majority of residents in the Kilkeel area favours one school to cater for all the children of the Mournes.”
“We stressed that the we thought that the best way forward is the amalgamation of St Columban’s and St Louis. It is important that we give all the children in Kilkeel equal opportunities to fulfill their potential so we should be looking towards amalgamation not discrimination.”
She added, “We should also be looking to build collaboration between any future Catholic school and the local controlled school in order to deliver a broadened curriculum needed to allow all our children a range of subjects to maximize their potential.”
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