A delegation of Craigavon Ulster Unionist Councillors led by Education spokesman Danny Kinahan MLA and Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson, has met the Chief Executive of the SELB, Gavin Boyd and Chairperson of the Board, Plunkett Campbell in Armagh to discuss the consultation on proposals to change the post primary education system in the ‘Dickson Plan’ area.
Danny Kinahan MLA commented:
“We had a frank and professional meeting with the top officials in the Southern Education and Library Board. We pressed them on where their consultation is going, and to confirm that their ‘Option A’ is effectively dead in the water. Whilst we appreciate they are still sifting through the huge numbers of responses to the public consultation, and could not give us a definitive response before their February Board meeting, it is clear that there has been a massive public rejection of the Option A proposal. It is crystal clear to me that there is no way that the Board could possibly issue a Development Proposal based on Option A.
Pupils, parents and teachers, and the wider community in the Dickson Plan area need a viable and agreed way forward. We have proposed that once the Board meeting is out of the way and Option A removed, there needs to be a facilitated process to come up with a workable solution to the challenges which still exist. Unlike other parties, Ulster Unionists have some constructive ideas which we would be glad to bring to the table when such a process begins. We approach these matters in a positive manner, but meaningful discussions can only commence after the February Board meeting clears the air.”
Local Ulster Unionist Party Craigavon Councillors, Ald Meta Crozier, Ald Arnold Hatch, Cllr Ken Twyble, Cllr Ronnie Harkness and Cllr Colin McCusker, also took part in the meeting.
Upper Bann Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson MLA added:
“We are fully focused on achieving a solution to this impasse which commands the majority support of local pupils, parents, teachers and the community at large. We want a system, which preserves the fundamental principles of the Dickson Plan, which is fit for the future education of our young people in Craigavon and Tandragee.
"Given the overwhelming and repeated rejection of Option A by the Community we believe this must be removed from the table before any meaningful discussions can be undertaken and I put this point directly to the SELB at our meeting.
"I welcome their recognition of the deep concerns over the implications of Option A which exist within the community and urge the Board to do the right thing for every child, both now and in the future."