Pupils celebrate after Education Minister rejects closure plan

EDUCATION Minister Paul Givan has rejected a proposal to close Queen Elizabeth II Primary School in Kilskeery.

The school, which has 40 pupils, was facing closure as part of a plan initiated by the Education Authority (EA).

However, Minister Givan’s decision has halted these plans, ensuring that the school will continue to serve its local community.

Queen Elizabeth II was built in 1953 during the Queen’s coronation year and is situated beside the local parish church.

It is only one of two schools in the North to be named after the former British monarch.

Joyce Clingan, the school’s principal, expressed her gratitude for the decision, describing it as “incredible news.”

“All the staff and pupils are absolutely delighted,” Ms Clingan said. “Over 300 objections were sent to the department and it was an amazing team effort to ensure the school remained open.”

She added, “The school has served the local community for over 70 years, and now that the dark cloud of closure has been lifted from us, we hope to continue serving local people for generations to come.”

Speaking at Stormont, West Tyrone MLA Tom Buchanan also welcomed the decision, acknowledging the school’s outstanding educational achievements.

He told the Assembly, “For over 70 years, this school has served the rural community with distinction, providing a high quality of educational excellence.

“Yet, despite an outstanding inspection report, the Education Authority decided that because it failed to meet their 105-pupil enrollment policy, it should close.”

The DUP MLA added, “Rather than pursuing their aims to close the smaller rural schools that are in such good standing, and ripping the heart of the rural communities they serve, the Education Authority must pursue a different agenda by working in collaboration with the small schools to help strengthen and sustain them through a number of various other mechanisms.”

A spokesperson for EA said, “Following the Minister’s decision, the EA will continue to provide support and guidance to Queen Elizabeth II PS as the managing authority for controlled schools.

“We are firmly committed to ensuring that all primary and post-primary pupils have access to a broad and balanced curriculum that meets their educational needs in a school that is educationally and financially viable and sustainable.”