Members of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have expressed frustration at correspondence from the Education Authority (EA) confirming it will not participate in a forthcoming meeting around the controversial decision to close St. Mary’s High School in Brollagh.

While Sinn Fein’s Councillor Siobhan Currie voiced disappointment, she added: “It’s what we were expecting. We agreed to issue the invitation to both the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools and the EA. 

“If they chose to snub it, that’s up to them. This is about the future of education in the area, and they might yet develop an interest.”

Party colleague Councillor Anthony Feely was also disappointed, telling members: “We do need to discuss this. Before the closure, we were told there was going to be a very smooth transition for staff and pupils.

“Nothing could be further from the truth – it’s been nothing only chaos since the children moved schools. The bus routes are all astray. Nothing has been done right.”

He pointed out letters from the EA stated bus times with children are supposed to be lifted at 7.40am.

However: “Buses are going up the road at 7.10am and 7.20am. Kids are stressed enough starting a new school, without the bother of buses.

“I’ve been inundated with phone calls. Children have been standing on the roads in the mornings, and the buses are going by them. The EA could even come to discuss that.

“I want to reiterate about the children who are the main people involved. I’m very disappointed and frustrated.”

Independent Councillor Bernice Swift was in agreement, adding: “There’s no point in talking about me being disappointed any further. The responses have been unforgivable on the treatment of people in that area –  staff and pupils alike – as well as all those who will be adversely affected by the lack of economic development and sustainability.”

Nonetheless, Councillor Swift declared herself “hopeful for the upcoming meeting and that a range of options can be considered that will include cross-Border educational arrangements”.

She continued: “We’re already working on that, and we mean to hold the sustainability of education for the future, going forward. All agencies failed to reach that sensible and practical arrangement.

“The councillors who remain convicted and interested in this will protect educational rural services in Erne West.”

Councillor Adam Gannon, SDLP, said: “ “As already said, the EA refusing our offer is disappointing, but to be expected. There’s an opportunity in these discussions to do something different, to try to pioneer a new model for cross-Border education and rural education in particular.

“Maybe the EA don’t want to do that, which would be a real shame and a lack of ambition on its part.”

He too referenced transport issues, noting the EA claim to have no responsibility, but: “They have a massive responsibility toward pupils. Transport hasn’t been sorted and that needs to be discussed.”

Councillor Gannon concluded: “Hopefully we’ll see a change of heart by the EA and get other stakeholders involved as well.”

Councillor Donal O’Cofaigh told members he had been advised school bus drivers have been asked to “quantify the need” for bus services and how many children are involved.

“It’s startling to be in a situation where drivers are expected to come up with accurate estimates. It shows the chaos of the way this has proceeded. But we cannot absolve the Stormont Executive. The EA isn’t doing this on its own, but on policy guidelines which are tearing the heart out of rural education.”

Members agreed the meeting will be hosted by the council at 3pm on September 30.