MP demands meeting with Minister to discuss ‘crisis’

“I am deeply concerned by this developing crisis in our local primary school and pre-school sectors with many parents facing the prospect of having to send their young children to schools that are many miles from their home,” said Mr Donaldson. “I have been contacted by many parents from Lisburn, Moira and other rural locations about the fact that they have been unable to secure a place in a local primary school for their child. This is an unacceptable situation and needs to be tackled head on by the Department of Education and the SEELB.

“I warned of this impending problem when the Board and Department were busy closing local rural schools,” he continued. “I stated then that with Lisburn being a significant growth area, they would end up having to build new schools at a higher cost. It is all very well saying that a small number of our local schools have spare places, but if you live in Moira or Dromara and the nearest school with a spare place is in the centre of Lisburn, what sort of option is that for your 4 year old child?

“I have already met with the Chief Executive of the SEELB and will be meeting with the Education Minister to demand that this problem is properly addressed and that additional places are made available to accommodate the children in their local communities.”

Lagan Valley MLA Jonathan Craig, who is a member of the Stormont Education Committee, said he was “very concerned” about the shortage of places. “The Education Minister and the Board must be held to account for failing to heed the warnings that have been given about the increase in the local population and their previous decisions to close schools,” he said.

“Lisburn is not like other areas. We are a significant growth area and our population is set to increase even further. This requires the provision of more school places where they are most needed and we will be pressing the Minister to act and give Lisburn the priority it deserves.”

MLA Brenda Hale shared her colleagues’ concerns. “This problem should have been foreseen and the Department and Board should increase enrolment in those schools where there is higher demand due to growing populations.

“As a member of the Education Committee I will be raising this issue in the Assembly and joining my colleagues in meeting the Minister. The Department must honour its commitment to our younger children and ensure that local schools have the capacity to accommodate each child who lives in their locality,” she concluded.