By 
A £1.2 MILLION scheme to provide additional classroom facilities at Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore was approved by the Department for Education this week.
The replacement accommodation will facilitate four double mobiles and has been welcomed by the school’s principal, James Warnock.
“The replacement of the present mobiles has been one of my goals with regards to improved accommodation at the ‘Dean’ and I am delighted that this will soon become a reality,” he said.
“The current mobiles have been on site for many years and their condition in recent times have given way to much concern.
“The accommodation will provide much improved facilities for our staff and pupils and this latest scheme, as well as recent projects completed at the college, augurs well for the school which attracts pupils from a large catchment area. Indeed, this investment is very necessary as we continue to see a very steady growth in pupil population.”
Anne Marie Fitzgerald, chair of the Board of Governors, said the new facilities will be “a huge advantage” to the school.
“The staff are delighted as, bit by bit, the Dean is getting either replaced or updated. Now we are achieving exactly what our local community need and want.”
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA, Declan McAleer, said the announcement is “fantastic news” for the school.
“During the past number of years, the Dean has had to make annual requests to the Department for a ‘Temporary Variation’ to their enrollment numbers and this investment is a major vote of confidence in Dean Maguirc as a centre of learning and a role model of a strong, all-ability school at the heart of the community,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said, “This investment should assure the school of fit-for-purpose accommodation for the foreseeable future.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)