There has been an angry reaction to confirmation that Immaculate Conception College, the only Catholic secondary school in Derry’s Waterside, will close next year.
Foyle SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said the decision by Education Minister John O’Dowd was a “terrible” one which would “impact on young people” of the city.
The decision has also angered parents who had launched a campaign to keep the school open after the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools (CCMS) proposed its closure.
However, their pleas have fallen on “deaf ears” as Mr O’Dowd this afternoon confirmed the closure would take place on a phased basis with no admissions to Years 8 or 11 in September this year and the complete closure of the school from 31 August next year.
In coming to his decision, Mr O’Dowd said “demographic decline” over the years had “adversely impacted” on enrolments with only 123 pupils enrolled in the school in 2013/2014.
Mr O’Dowd said the closure was one of the recommendations outlined in the Strategic Report of the NI Commission for Catholic Education and was reflected in the Western Education and Library Board post-primary area plan.
“Immaculate Conception College has played a valuable role in the education of boys and girls from the Waterside area of Derry.
Education Minister John O’Dowd.
He added the school’s Trustees, supported by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, had put forward the case for closure and he believed acting now was in the best educational interests of the young people attending the college.
He added: “I have approved the Trustees’ proposal of a phased closure to ensure minimal disruption to the education of the children concerned and I wish them all the best in the future.
“I would also like to pay tribute to all those connected with Immaculate Conception College, who over many years have shown their commitment and dedication to the school and its pupils.”
The school’s closure follows the demise of another Catholic secondary school in Derry.
St Peter’s High School in Creggan closed last June due a fall in the number of pupils attending.
20
Tags: