Ulster Unionist Party education spokesperson Danny Kinahan MLA has responded to the announcement of three new projects, selected by the Department of Education as part of the Shared Education Campuses Programme.
Mr Kinahan said:
“Congratulations are due to all those who have worked hard to bring their local shared education projects to this stage. However in Northern Ireland we have around 1,200 schools. When put in that context, 3 shared education projects selected out of 16 applications, represents a drop in the ocean.
“I would also question the timing of this announcement, coming as it does the day after the end of the school term. I would query whether the unsuccessful applicants have been given a proper explanation of why their projects are not being taken forward.
“I repeat what I have said in recent months; that what is lacking is an overarching plan for shared education. The current process of area planning through the 5 Education and Library Boards is simply not providing that overall vision. What we continue to have is piecemeal announcements, and contradictory developments. New capital building announcements for single identity denominational super campuses one week; then the go-ahead for some sharing across the sectors the next.
“It concerns me that current efforts at shared education- whilst worthy and deserving of support- are piecemeal, perfunctory and often contradicted by other developments to rationalise separate sectors under the guise of area planning.”