SCHOOL BUILDING PLANS IN 'RUANES'
THE rejection of desperate pleas for new school buildings in Banbridge has been described as a "mockery".
Two schools in Banbridge which had applied to the Department of Education for funding for their buildings - which have a combined age of 90 - were told they will not get any money anytime soon.
St Mary's Primary School principal Des O'Hagan expressed his disappointment and anger after receiving Education Minister Caitriona Ruane's letter on the last day of term.
"I think the phrase 'a good day to bury bad news' applies here," he told the Leader.
St Mary's was told it fulfilled all the criteria for a newbuild while St Patrick's College was partially approved, but the letters also said there is no money left in the Capital Schools programme which is normally used to fund such projects.
In a controversial Stormont debate on the issue last week, Ms Ruane came under fire from a number of parties in the Assembly which criticised her delayed announcement and for failing to reveal the exact criteria she used to decide which school newbuilds would be approved.
St Mary's - which had secured almost a quarter of a million pounds back in 2004/5 to make improvements to the 40-year-old building - has been left in a worse position than anyone could have imagined, according to Mr O'Hagan.
"I'm disappointed yes, but I'm more angry than anything," he said. "If things had happened a few years ago we wouldn't be in this position now.
"We were told the improvements couldn't be made because we were in line for a new school.
"For this type of news to come on the last day of term is, I think, a bit of a manipulation of the situation."
The school, which caters for 400 pupils, has a plumbing and electrical system in urgent need of repair, as well as needing a whole new set of windows, Mr O'Hagan said.
"The school is on three levels and there are lots of steps," he explained. "We have five or six children at the minute with mobility difficulties who need adult assistance almost everywhere they go.
"This news is a mockery."
Mr O'Hagan said he will meet with St Patrick's College principal Paul Carlin before the next school year begins to talk through the schools' futures.
"We will just have to keep our own school building here and make improvements to it," he said.
"There is no money left. Any improvements we make will be through fundraising or the PTA - that's it."
Independent councillor Dessie Ward also waded into the debate this week, calling for Ms Ruane to resign her ministerial role following the news that local new builds will not go ahead.
"New school buildings for St. Mary's and St. Patrick's were promised years ago and are now long overdue. I am therefore disappointed at this news but not overly surprised," said Mr Ward.
"I have been in these school buildings a number of times in the recent past and they are way past their sell-by date.
"I have been in regular contact with the principals of both these schools about the proposed new builds and will continue to do so until these schemes are delivered on.
Meanwhile Sinn Fin MLA John O' Dowd said he will continue to lobby for new school builds for St Mary's Primary School and St Patrick's College.
The Assembly Member for Upper Bann made the comments after Education Minister Caitriona Ruane announced an end to the Capital Review which means no schools can be built unless the Executive injects more money into the education system.
"While it is very welcome news that both of these local schools have been identified as practical projects, they can only become feasible if the Executive gets its priorities right and puts more money into the education system," he said. "Now is the time for local politicians to put their money where their mouth is."
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Weather for Banbridge
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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