This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-17009197
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Report to confirm Catholic school closures | Report to confirm Catholic school closures |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Commission on Catholic Education is to release a report later confirming the closure of a number of schools within the Catholic maintained sector. | The Commission on Catholic Education is to release a report later confirming the closure of a number of schools within the Catholic maintained sector. |
| These are believed to conclude include St Gemma's in Belfast, St Peter's, Londonderry, St Mary's, Belleek and Drumcree College, Portadown. | These are believed to conclude include St Gemma's in Belfast, St Peter's, Londonderry, St Mary's, Belleek and Drumcree College, Portadown. |
| Others will be told to amalgamate. | Others will be told to amalgamate. |
| The commission has been working on the report since 2006, on the basis there are too many schools and too few pupils to make economic and educational sense. | The commission has been working on the report since 2006, on the basis there are too many schools and too few pupils to make economic and educational sense. |
| St Eugene's in Castlederg is also marked for closure. | St Eugene's in Castlederg is also marked for closure. |
| Trade unions said all five schools marked for closure had been feeling under threat. | Trade unions said all five schools marked for closure had been feeling under threat. |
| Brendan Harron from the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said that he was concerned for the jobs of their members. | |
| "The secondary schools, non-grammar schools, are again bearing the brunt of the falling number situation - an unfair, non-proportionate brunt, I think. | |
| "The premise for the whole restructuring was to be a move away from academic selection and equality for all. | |
| "If the building block of the move away from academic selection is removed, then the whole wall collapses." | |
| Opposed | |
| The commission had hoped that academic selection in Catholic grammar schools would end in 2012. | The commission had hoped that academic selection in Catholic grammar schools would end in 2012. |
| However, it is understood that this was so opposed by the grammar schools that, although the policy remains, the plan is now for a phased ending, with no final date set. | However, it is understood that this was so opposed by the grammar schools that, although the policy remains, the plan is now for a phased ending, with no final date set. |
| The director of the Governing Bodies Association (GBA), John Hart, said that schools would take time to reflect on Monday's report. | |
| The GBA represents 52 voluntary grammar schools including all 30 Catholic grammar schools in NI. | |
| "Boards of governors alone are responsible for deciding admissions policy," he said. | |
| "Indeed it is appropriate these decisions are taken by people who understand the local needs and ethos of schools in their community." | |
| Cuts in funding and demands for each school to provide more subjects, make restructuring more urgent than ever. | Cuts in funding and demands for each school to provide more subjects, make restructuring more urgent than ever. |
| Staff at the 100 post-primary schools have already been briefed on their future. | Staff at the 100 post-primary schools have already been briefed on their future. |