Four super campuses has merits: Mervyn Storey

NORTH Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey has expressed his concern at reports of threatened campus closures at Northern Regional College. Speaking of his concern regaring the threat to the Ballymoney campus Mr. Storey said: "Under proposals aimed at reducing the number of campuses at Northern regional College Ballymoney and Coleraine would be replaced by a single new building.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2010, 14:50 BST
Updated 17th May 2010, 19:08 BST

“We all understand the financial constraints that public bodies are under, and the need to concentrate capital resources so that the best facilities for our students can be provided, but the Northern Regional College will need to convince people if it to gain support for these proposals.

“Uppermost amongst these questions is how successfully it has managed its budget so that these changes are necessary? After all no other part of Northern Ireland is being faced with this scale of rationalisation.

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“The plan to move ahead with four super campuses on new build has its merits, but what assurance can be given by the NRC and DEL that these new builds will go ahead in a timely fashion. Without firm guarantees of the new builds in Ballymena and Coleraine, this would be seen to put the cart before the horse.

“Similarly there has been vague assurances of continuing to provide local services for students, but if this vital section of our society is to be aided in their education and their employment opportunities improved then much more meat will need to be put on the bones.

I feel that the Colleges are being treated as a Cinderella service within the education system and placed at the back of the queue behind schools and universities.

“While there are some welcome aspects to the proposals such as an emphasis upon vocational training as well as a new build for the Ballymoney/Coleraine area, there are issues that need to be addressed. The first is the need to retain the highest standards of educational provision. The second is to do everything possible to secure jobs.

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“The Ballymoney area has already suffered a lot from job losses in recent times. It shouldn’t bear the brunt on this occasion.

“There are also issues regarding the issue of area planning within education provision. With the inevitable rationalisation of the school estate and the development of the new curriculum entitlement for 14-19 year group. Already we have some courses being provided by the Ballymoney campuus to local schools, its closer will mean that those services will no longer be provided.

“I have had a serious of meetings in the past regarding this issue and I intend to meet with the Minister Sir Reg Empy to discuss theses issues.

Related topics:Mervyn StoreyNorthern Regional CollegeDUPColeraineBallymena