Dear Madam, - It was with great interest I heard and read the latest political statements about the future of post primary schools in Fermanagh. It is interesting that the decision to advance a cross border initiative in NW Fermanagh is being compared to the decision to close Lisnaskea High School I believe linking these two decisions is wrong. I fully support both community proposals brought forward for Lisnaskea HS and Brollagh, these were forward thinking community led proposals. It is important that in this instance we do play the old orange and green cards, as the basis of the argument on whether the Education Minister was right or wrong in these decisions. The background to these decisions is a little more subtle to simply roll out the orange and the green argument.

It appears that the Education Minister had little alternative in light of the wishes of the Western Education Library Board AND the Board of Governors AND the Principal of Lisnaskea HS who ALL recommended the Minister close the School. This resulted in a significant percentage of parents sending their children to other schools towards the end of the academic year. It must have been virtually impossible for a Education Minister to go against the Board of Governors of a school when they wanted it closed, especially when enrolment for the following school year was virtually halved. Has an Education Minister ever gone against a recommendation from the Board of Governors and Principal to close their school? In this case the Managing Authority managed to close the school. Truly shocking – but should the blame be laid at the door of the Education Minister for this? No. the guillotine appears to have come down very quickly on Lisnaskea HS by those responsible for the management and governance of the school.

The Brollagh decision is a very different case. The reality is the Board of Governors and Principal are working with the local community a number of years. Political support has been given by all political parties, an amazing achievement. The only one organisation out of step with the peoples wishes are the CCMS. Thankfully the people, the school and politicians have stood together in the case of Brollagh. The Minister responded positively.

I hope those campaigning for the future of the Collegiate and a new school for Devenish College every success in their endeavours. These are equally important issues. Moral of both stories – united we are stronger. Yours faithfully, School lover