Following the publication of the pre consulatation paper on the future of post primary education in the Cloger and Kilmore Dioceses 'the Herald' contacted a number of the schools involved. Understandbly many were reluctant to comment given the circumstances, preferring to wait until they had considered the report further.
Statements did come from St Michael's Board of Governors and also a staff member of St Eugene's Roslea.
An employee of the Trustees of St Eugene's Secondary School, Roslea, who contacted the 'Herald' and asked that they be described in that way, said in a statement that staff in St.Eugene's were very concerned about their future and that of the school.
"A decision seems to have already been made to close it down, purely on economic grounds. St. Eugene's has an excellent academic performance record over the years. The quality of the teaching and care for students is, without doubt, one of the best in Northern Ireland.
'Last week, Martin Mc Ilvenny, a consultant working for CCMS, came to the school. He said that no decisions had yet been made. He presented four options to the staff. In all of these options, St. Eugene's College was closed. He refused to take questions after the presentation, which left staff asking: "Why did he bother coming? We might as well have read it in the paper five days later with everyone else."
'Confidence in Bishop Duffy and the church's attitude to Roslea and the people is also at an all time low' - staff member St Eugene's
'The project board tasked with the final decision are Bishop Duffy and four other clergy. Some staff are very concerned that none of these clergy represent the Roslea and surrounding areas and all have their own other interests in Fermanagh. Confidence in Bishop Duffy and the church's attitude to Roslea and the people is also at an all time low following the conviction of Jeremiah Mc Grath, recent head of St. Eugene's board of governors. The Bishop has yet to address this matter.
'Why has Lisnaskea been chosen as the site for a joint school? It is not any more central to Roslea, Newtown, or Brookborough than Roslea itself. What about the time lost in traffic congestion in Lisnaskea both morning and evening?
Why was St. Eugene's not given the option of 4 – 14? Derrylin were given this option. St. Eugene's has a higher number of students than Derrylin. There is a belief in Roslea that the rest of Fermanagh's interests were served well during the post-primary review team's discussions and that St. Eugene's were not'.
'It is noted that the options published to date have not included any models based on academic selection.' - St Michaels Board of Governors
Meanwhile the Board of Governors of St Michael's said it was considering the options in, "Shaping the Future of Catholic Education in the Dioceses of Clogher and Kilmore'.
their statement goes on: 'The Board is preparing its response to these options and will be presenting its own views for the future of Catholic Education. It will seek to take account of the importance of the Voluntary Grammar status of St Michael's College and the issue of academic selection about which the government has not yet provided legislative clarity.
'It is noted that the options published to date have not included any models based on academic selection.
'The Board wishes to reassure staff, students, parents and the wider College community that St Michael's position and tradition as a Diocesan Voluntary Grammar School is very much cherished, and that the Board will seek to retain those characteristics which have made it such a widely acknowledged successful College for many decades.
'It is recognised that the options published to date represent the beginning of an important debate on the future of Post Primary Catholic Education in the Dioceses of Clogher and Kilmore.
The Board of Governors acknowledges that the Post Primary Review Team does not have a preferred option and that, indeed, it welcomes any other alternative option that might be proposed'.
