Kilrea school merger “must meet needs of children”

Approval for a new post primary school for rural South Derry to replace St Paul’s College, Kilrea and St Mary’s College, Clady has been approved by the Minister for Education John O’Dowd.
John Dallat MLA.John Dallat MLA.
John Dallat MLA.

In welcoming the announcement East Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat said: “This is the first stage in a process and is conditional on the completion and approval of an economic appraisal. It will also join a list of projects which will have to find capital funding and be subject to affordability.

“Both St Paul’s and St Mary’s have proud records of success for many years and it would be my wish that the greatest priority is given to replacing these two first-class institutions with a state-of-the art facility that meets the needs of our children and young people today.”

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Mr Dallat said he hoped the merger would meet the needs of children in the area.

“Both St Paul’s and St Mary’s have, over the years, prepared their pupils well for adult life both in education and skills but, most importantly, in understanding the richness of diversity and respect for other children from different backgrounds.

“While this announcement is welcome it is only the first step in a process which must progress without delay if we are to deliver and meet the needs of children in rural South Derry in the future.”