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Catholic school cuts are examined Catholic school cuts are examined
(about 4 hours later)
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools is examining how many of its schools will have to be closed as part of a rationalisation strategy. The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools is examining how many of its schools will have to close as part a review into future education provision. The move comes in the face of falling school rolls in Northern Ireland.
The move comes in the face of falling school rolls in Northern Ireland.
The Irish News has reported that the overhaul could see up to 50 primary schools close or be amalgamated.The Irish News has reported that the overhaul could see up to 50 primary schools close or be amalgamated.
However, Donal Flanagan, of the CCMS, said there has never been any mention of the number of schools that could close.However, Donal Flanagan, of the CCMS, said there has never been any mention of the number of schools that could close.
Mr Flanagan said the government had asked the CCMS and other education providers to determine what size of schools they will need in the future and where those schools will be.Mr Flanagan said the government had asked the CCMS and other education providers to determine what size of schools they will need in the future and where those schools will be.
"What we're actually doing within CCMS is developing a strategy that will allow us to determine where those schools will be what size they will be and how many we will want."What we're actually doing within CCMS is developing a strategy that will allow us to determine where those schools will be what size they will be and how many we will want.
"Clearly, in a case where there is major infrastructure investment there will always be a sense of rationalisation and school closure and that is to deal with the realities of life," Mr Flanagan said."Clearly, in a case where there is major infrastructure investment there will always be a sense of rationalisation and school closure and that is to deal with the realities of life," Mr Flanagan said.
However, Frank Bunting of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, criticised what he said was a lack of co-operation on the issue.However, Frank Bunting of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, criticised what he said was a lack of co-operation on the issue.
"In all of the experiences that I've had recently there hasn't been any such sharing - we have the CCMS not speaking to the education and library boards and vice versa," Mr Flanagan said."In all of the experiences that I've had recently there hasn't been any such sharing - we have the CCMS not speaking to the education and library boards and vice versa," Mr Flanagan said.
Sir George Bain is leading an independent review into the schools estate in Northern Ireland.
He is likely to report later this year, not only on the issue of falling numbers but also on how schools can co-operate better to address that.