Education Minister John O'Dowd has rejected plans to close St. Mary's High School outside Belleek.

Sinn Féin representatives have warmly welcomed the decision to reject the CCMS proposal to close St Mary's High School, Brollagh and to pursue the opportunities that exist for a cross-border area learning community with schools in south Donegal.

Speaking today, Michelle Gildernew MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone said: "I am delighted at the decision by the Education Minister to reject the proposed closure of St Mary's by CCMS. As we all know, Brollagh is situated in a disadvantaged, neglected and isolated rural area and the future delivery of post-primary education in the locality is of maximum importance not only to the needs of the young people in the area, but also of the wider community. From the outset, Sinn Féin representatives from across North West Fermanagh were active supporters of the campaign to deliver a cross-border model at Brollagh and we are over the moon that that campaign has been successful. But the real work in delivering this and making it a success begins now." Phil Flanagan Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone said: "The decision taken today by John O'Dowd is a sensible one and I am delighted that the views of the local community that rejected CCMS's proposed closure of the school have been listened to. The delivery of a first class education system to all of our children is of primary importance to all of us and I am confident that the proposed cross-border model, that is now being fully explored, will allow the excellent teachers and staff that we have at St Mary's Brollagh, who have faced much uncertainty in recent years, to focus on continuing to deliver this high standard of education for the young people of the area." Sinn Féin Erne North Councillor John Feely said: "As a past pupil of the school, I am obviously delighted at the decision to retain post-primary education in this area. I want to take this opportunity to commend the local campaign group and the entire community that once again have rowed in behind St Mary's Brollagh. It is now vitally important that local people continue to support this school by sending their children to it. The opportunities offered by the cross-border partnership will significantly improve the ability of the school to deliver a wide range of subjects that meet the unique requirements of a rural community with huge demand for courses in agriculture and tourism."