The council has stated its opposition to the proposed closure of two of the district’s rural primary schools. On Monday, the local authority unanimously adopted a notice of motion, tabled by Aurla King (SDLP, Downpatrick) and Jarlath Tinnelly (Independent, Crotlieve), opposing CCMS (Council for Catholic Maintained Schools) plans to shut Kilclief’s St Malachy’s Primary School and Killowen Primary School by August 2027.
The proposal, whilst acknowledging the role of public consultations, voiced concern that any closure of the schools would be “significantly detrimental to the children of these areas, their families and the wider communities.” In relation to St Malachy’s PS, the motion highlighted “the strong opposition to closure from parents, staff, pupils and residents” and stated that efforts should be made to “explore viable alternatives to closure, including the potential expansion of special educational needs provision on the existing site.”
On Killowen PS, it warned about “the potential negative impact that the decision may have on the main Catholic primary school within the Kilbroney Parish, namely St Bronagh’s in Rostrevor.” Concluding, the proposal called on the council to “formally write to the CCMS to express our opposition to these proposed closures and request that they be withdrawn forthwith.”
Speaking in the council chamber, Cllr King stated that “these schools are more than just buildings.” “They are the heart of our rural communities,” she continued. “For generations, they have been giving children a strong educational foundation, a sense of belonging and a connection to place. Closing them would not only remove local provision but weaken the very fabric of community life. In Kilclief, St Malachy’s has deep roots and strong parental support. The proposal to close it ignores the evidence of continued local need and parental confidence.”
Cllr Tinnelly said that “the closure of rural primary schools has noticeably increased over the past number of years.” “Despite the almost unanimous opposition to these moves by the local communities most affected, it appears that the concerns of these very communities are routinely ignored,” he added. “These closures should never become normalised, nor should they go unchallenged. Whilst recognising that each rural school may have their own unique challenges, the true value of these institutions cannot be measured in monetary terms alone.”
“Oftentimes, the threat of closure hangs like the Sword of Damocles over these schools, not unlike the uncertainty around the local hospitals. This frequently becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as parents relocate their children to other schools not under threat, decreasing the numbers in the rural school as a result.” He added that this then, inadvertently, provides justification for closing the school. “This council needs to stand with our rural communities by standing firm in our opposition to these closures.”
In the full article councillors Michael Rice, Glyn Hanna, David Lee Surginor, David Taylor, Declan McAteer and council Chairperson Philip Campbell expressed their thoughts on the matter, an how they felt that it would negatively affect the area.
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