School principals and politicians to convene over Strule Campus

PRINCIPALS from five Omagh schools slated to move to the new Strule Shared Education Campus are gearing up to voice their concerns about project delays in a meeting with local politicians later this month.

Michael Gormley, head of Sacred Heart College, has extended invitations to councillors for a gathering scheduled at Omagh CBS on February 29.

The letter, co-signed by principals Ruth Maxwell (Omagh Academy), Christos Galtatzis (Omagh High School), Jonathan Gray (Arvalee School and Resource Centre), Foncy McConnell (Omagh CBS), and Susan Cullinan (Loreto Grammar School), aims to emphasise the significance of the Strule Campus for the region’s educational future.

Mr Gormley stressed the importance of relaying the message that the Strule Shared Education Campus is ‘indispensable’ for Omagh and surrounding areas.

“We want to ensure that this message is relayed to all parties with an interest in decision-making regarding its (the Strule Campus) future,” he stated.

The move comes in the wake of a council motion urging direct engagement with the newly appointed Minister for Education, Paul Givan, of the DUP.

Initiated by Omagh town Sinn Fein councillors Barry McElduff and Martin McColgan, the motion was debated at Tuesday night’s full council meeting.

It called for reaffirmation of support and necessary investment in the ‘iconic, flagship Strule Campus project’ and was passed by councillors.

The Strule Campus has faced numerous setbacks, with an Independent Review of Education recommending its shelving last year.

Costing an estimated £340 million, the project has come under scrutiny for delays and escalating expenses.

Meanwhile, West Tyrone SDLP MLA, Daniel McCrossan, has also written to local principals on the issue.

He said that the five schools promised new buildings on the shared campus ‘must have that commitment honoured’.