Parents unite over prep school funding removal
PROPOSALS to withdraw funding from preparatory schools has been based on "incorrect statistics", and "without thought for the effect on children", a new lobby group has said.
In a statement, parents from Down High School claimed the controversial plan would force the closure of their primary level education provision before the new term in September.
Responding to the funding cuts put forward by the Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, the Downpatrick parents say they will use their skills to "galvanise" their opposition.
On Thursday, the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) said that the proposed target date for the withdrawal of funding of September 2010 was "unrealistic, undeliverable and unworkable".
After their first meeting involving more than 100 parents – the Down High Prep Parents group said they "were shocked and dismayed at both the lack of public knowledge of this situation and the improbable prospect of finding places at any other suitable primary schools in the area".
They have also claimed that the burden of around 180 pupils being 'shoe horned' into a small number of primary schools in the Downpatrick area, will affect many "hundreds more children and their teaching staff".
Rory Campbell, a parent of three young children at the school, said: "By galvanizing this immense amount of talent and expertise, we have made huge steps in less than 72 hours."
The parents' group say they have lobbied members of nearly every political party, liaised with other schools in the same predicament with the ultimate aim of dove-tailing resources, and have carried out a full legal review of the issues.
"The evidence shows that this move has been taken on the basis of incorrect statistics," said Guy Bucknall, another parent at the school.
"It is without thought for the effect on prep children robbed of their environment, and on children in local schools forced to try to accommodate prep pupils at the shortest possible notice. The only equality resulting from this action is that all local children suffer," Mr Bucknall added.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said they were currently "analysing the responses to the consultation exercise" which closed on March 4.
"Following due consideration of these a final decision will be taken. It would not be appropriate to comment on individual responses to the consultation," the spokesperson said.
Next week, the Assembly will consider a joint Ulster Unionist and DUP motion condemning the proposals.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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