Dear Madam, - Education in County Fermanagh is of upmost importance for the future of our young people. The debate on what is the best way to educate our young people goes on, and is affecting all sectors. However, the post primary Controlled and Voluntary Grammar sectors have been subject to much debate.

I will reiterate that I support all schools. I do not want to see any of our schools closed. Every school should be supported and given every opportunity to be retained. Of course some children may not be suited to an individual school and a school may not be suited to a particular child, therefore we need a range of educational options. I opposed the closure of The Duke of Westminster and the closure of Lisnaskea High School without any new build for Devenish College.

I understand and accept that people have their own preferences when it comes to post primary education in County Fermanagh and the public expects people to do what is right for the school that they represent. If we want to see our children receive the best education they can, there needs to be a certain level of co-operation amongst all.

The Department of Education and the Western Education Library Board have a lot to answer for. They have created an air of uncertainty over the future of our children’s education. There have been long-standing commitments to which have not been delivered on. Commitments such as the new build of Devenish College on the Tempo Road.

Over the past number of months I have been lobbying Education Minister O’Dowd intensely regarding the post-primary education situation in County Fermanagh. I lobbied Minister O’Dowd on the new build for Devenish College. I pressed on him that a new build for Devenish College should not be subject to the decision over the proposed amalgamation of Portora Royal and Enniskillen Collegiate. Three weeks ago I received confirmation from the Minister that a new Devenish College would be built, regardless of the decision over the proposed amalgamation. Minister O’Dowd assured the Assembly last week that the first sod would be turned on the Tempo Road site in summer 2016. The fact that the Education Minister has been able to decouple the issues has been somewhat of a victory. Education is at the heart of society. We’ve had the promises - now we want action! For the sake of everyone it’s time for the new Devenish to be progressed.

Yours faithfully, Tom Elliott MLA