Dear Madam - As a very delighted parent, I would like to thank all of the MLAs from the DUP, UUP, TUV and UKIP who supported the motion that came before the assembly on Monday requiring the Minister “to reject the Development proposals regarding the proposed closure of the Collegiate Grammar School and Portora Royal School and to seek consensus on the future of these schools with broad community support.” I would also like to thank the speakers from the SDLP who made very helpful contributions to the debate in the Assembly.

It is very disappointing that the motion was opposed by Sinn Fein who brought their own amendment which removed consensus and broad community support. I also fail to understand why they saw the need to introduce Devenish College when the Minister is on record as stating that he is committed to building Devenish whether he approves these proposals or not. However this amendment was also defeated.

It is now clear that both the local and wider communities are opposed to closing The Collegiate and Portora. These highly controversial Development proposals which will force two good schools to close, reduce the number of places available and leave our children to be educated for the foreseeable future on split sites should be shelved.

I was saddened and dismayed to hear in the debate that the Board of Governors of both Portora and Devenish had forwarded an e mail to all MLAs indicating their unanimous support for the Development proposals.

I would urge them to re think their position in the light of the strong opposition in the Fermanagh community to these proposals and of the clear outcome of the debate in the Assembly. We deserve better.

A very happy parent (Name and address supplied)