Ulster Unionist Party education spokesperson Danny Kinahan MLA has accused the Education Minister John O’Dowd of inconsistency in his decision making over Integrated schools.  The Minister has approved a proposal to significantly increase the enrolment numbers at an Integrated Primary school in Moira, just weeks after refusing an application from the governors at a Catholic Maintained school near Dungannon to transform into an Integrated school.

 Danny Kinahan MLA said:

 “In the context of the Minister’s recent decision to refuse Clintyclay Primary School’s application to transform from being a Catholic maintained into an Integrated primary school, we can safely say that John O’Dowd’s decision making in the area of Integrated education is nothing if not inconsistent.

 “The Minister has approved a proposal to increase the approved enrolment from 203 to 399 at Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira.  This decision has been made contrary to the advice given to the Minister by the South Eastern Education and Library Board who reported that, “on this occasion the data presently available does not support Rowandale Integrated Primary School’s request to increase its admission figure from 29 to 57 and the subsequent increase in the schools approved enrolment from 203 to 399.”

 “I fully support the principle of educating children of all faiths and none together.  In some locations this may mean an expansion of specific Integrated provision.  However in the Moira case it is clear that the numbers do not justify the increase in approved enrolments, and any increase will only come at the expense of other schools in the area. Many State Controlled schools in the area have claimed, with complete justification, that they are integrated in all but name.  They say that they are being discriminated against despite already meeting the needs of the community in terms of educational provision, integration, inclusion and accommodation.

 “The Minister needs to fully explain the basis on which he has taken these decisions.  If he does not, he will stand accused of acting in a partial manner: discouraging Integrated where it mainly affects the Catholic Maintained sector, while expanding Integrated at the expense of State Controlled schools.  At the moment the forward planning of schools in Northern Ireland is a mess.”