Future of education

According to local MLA Sam Gardiner and other 'MAIL' sources, the Southern Education and Library Board will be proposing options for the future pattern of education here shortly.

Mr Gardiner said: “I had written to the SELB in early July asking them how the planning process - for a new plan for post-14 education provision in the Lurgan/Craigavon area to deliver high-quality, sustainable educational provision for all young people - was progressing because it would appear from correspondence I have had with the Education Minister that this was the only impediment to a new building for Lurgan College.

“I received a reply from the SELB which told me that the the Boards of Governors of Lurgan College, Craigavon Senior High School and Lurgan Junior High Schools would be receiving the Board’s proposals during September.

"A feasibility study on the future of this educational provision was soon to be completed and would be with the SELB in the near future. Proposals for the Portadown and Tandragee area would also be finalised during September.”

He went on: “Gregory Butler, the Head of Development, Planning and Support Services in the SELB also told me that new proposals for the total education provision in the Craigavon area would be presented to the Advisory Sub-Committee on Controlled Schools in early October.

“Obviously major change could be on the way and when those proposals become clear – if they are acceptable to all involved - I will be pressing Education Minister Ruane to move forward with new build proposals for both Lurgan and Portadown Colleges.

"She said this plan had to be in place before she would allow the new builds to go ahead. She has identified no builds in Craigavon in her recent capital spend announcement despite having announced no fewer than four new builds to the neighbouring Newry and Armagh constituency which just happens to have a Sinn Fein MP. Craigavon is owed new buildings which are long overdue.”

A new build at Lurgan College was due to start last September with the SELB approving the plans, only for the Department of Education to scupper the moves citing the lack of an overall plan for education provision in the controlled sector across Craigavon.

With cutbacks in Government spending only a handful of new builds have been approved by the department, although the college was said to have met most of the criteria.

Just last week the 'MAIL' reported another twist in the saga with conserving trees close to the college also at issue but sources say this is a minor hurdle compared to the issue of funding.