Dear Madam, - I am writing on behalf of a number of parents who have voiced concerns over the proposed Devensih College new build and the lack of clarity regarding the plans and time frame.

Where can building plans and work plans be viewed by the public and if an indication could be put in writing as to the time scale of the new build? The name of the contractor who has been given the work should also be made public so that people can be fully aware of what is actually happening.

As you are aware the closure of Lisnaskea High School and the amalgamation with Devenish College was surrounded by public outrage and disapproval and it is vital that parents and children who will now have limited choice on Post Controlled Education in Fermanagh, be informed fully at every stage. The amalgamation was based on the debt incurred by both schools and on falling numbers, yet as we know all teaching and supporting staff were moved to Devenish despite over 40 children choosing to move to other schools. This will have incurred further debt on Devenish College considering that and as a member of the public I would like to know how was the debt from Lisnaskea High School and Devenish College been dealt with?

I had thought that WELB would have been trying harder to build public confidence in the proposed new build, by issuing a public viewing and a question and answer meeting to allow for any queries and concerns around their children’s education. Considering that the Shared Education Federated model put forward by the Action group for LHS is now being explored through DENI, it has left a lot of people asking serious questions as to who is behind all the proposed mergers, closures of our controlled sector schools especially in Fermanagh.

As the community approaches a time of election in the country I have no doubt that these are questions all candidates should be asking around what exactly has happened, what is now happening and when will the post controlled sector in Fermanagh be treated with the fairness and respect shown to the CCMS sector.

Time has passed from the hasty closure of Lisnaskea High School, and still no real developments and some people may not wish to ask these questions, but I do.

I am sending a copy of this letter to the political parties who represent the controlled sector community, the local media and anyone who I feel has an interest in our children being given every possible opportunity to reach their full potential and a system that fully supports the same.

Yours faithfully, Doreen Mullan Lisbellaw