Strabane Academey merger in September

THE merger of Strabane High School and Strabane Grammar School - forming Strabane Academy - will take place from September 2011 but the Education Minsiter has said that whilst an economic appraisal for a major works project is with the Department it is not on the DE capital Investment Delivery Plan (IDP).

Education Minister John O’Dowd said 53 projects remain on the DE IDP over the next four years but Strabane Academy is not one of them.

He was responding to an Assembly Question from UUP MLA Derek Hussey.

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The Minister said: “The merger of Strabane High School and Strabane Grammar School forming Strabane Academy will take effect from 1 September 2011.

“An Economic Appraisal for potential major works project for Strabane Academy is currently with the Department and is one of a large number of projects at Feasibility and Economic Appraisal stage.

“These projects are not on the Department’s capital IDP and have not been announced for funding.

“Currently 53 projects remain on the Department’s capital IDP to be built and as you are aware the Executive’s Budget highlights significant reductions in the capital resources to Education over the next 4 years which will have a detrimental effect on the Department’s ability to deliver a school building programme.

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“It will therefore be important to consider how the limited capital funds available should be deployed in a strategic and prioritised basis to address the most pressing needs and to secure maximum educational benefits for children and young people. This work will be a priority for me and my officials in the coming months.

“My Department will continue to work with the School Managing Authorities on all aspects of future planning.”

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