BY COLM BRADLEY

A long shadow was cast over the future of many post-primary Fermanagh schools earlier this week with the publication of a pre consultation paper on the future of Catholic Education within the Clogher and Kilmore Dioceses. The paper, which was published by the Commission for Catholic Education, contains four possible options for the delivery of education in the Catholic sector.

None of these options cater for academic selection, and, as such, leave serious question marks surrounding the future of both St Michael's College and Mount Lourdes. Under the proposals, neither seat of learning could function as a Grammar school and would instead be incorporated into a 'non selective' school system. The current form of academic selection, the 11+, is set to end in 2008.

The options, if implemented, will also have serious implications on the future of Secondary schools in the county with the possibility that six of the seven will close their doors permanently while the remaining school, St Comhghall's in Lisnaskea will lose its name and change beyond all recognition, although the school site features in all four options.

Most of the choices put forward in the paper are variations on the same theme and will see the nine post primary schools in Fermanagh, including the two grammar schools, amalgamate under either a two school, three school or five school model. Crucially, none of these schools will use a selection based criteria to enrol its students.

This document is, however, only a pre consultation paper and any alternative options can be suggested and, according to the Project Team, the views of schools parents and the community at large are welcome.

The document in full can be downloaded from www.pprce.org and further information is available on the website. Any final decision on future structures will only be made after a further consultation process with parents, pupils and other members of the community.

The paper itself, 'Shaping the future of Catholic Education', is the result of a Post Primary Review carried out in the Dicoeses of Clogher and Kilmore. The review was headed by the a Project Board and involved a Review Group and a Project Support Team.

The Project Board was made up of Rev Dr Joseph Duffy, Bishop of Clogher and Rev Dr Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore and Trustees from across the two Dioceses, while the Review Group included Principals and Board of Governor representatives from all the post primary schools in the two as well as representatives of the primary sector in both.

A spokesman for the Post Primary Review Project explained that the review was prompted by the growing concerns of local Trustees, boards of governors and the Principals.

"These concerns," he explained, "included the implications for local grammar and post-primary schools of the demographic downturn, falling enrolments, curriculum changes and new Government policy on, 'A Shared Future', and sustainability."

But, he went on: "What I would stress is that this is a pre-consultation, and nothing is written in stone. The senior trustees are inviting parents and teachers to review and comment on the options and nothing has been selected as a preferred option. They are inviting the views of all."

The four options contained in the pre consultation paper are covered in detail on page 11 of this week's edition but, at each of their core, is the notion of 'non selective' post primary schools.

* Option 1 - the creation of two 11-14 years of age, non-selective colleges, based in Lisnaskea and Enniskillen. These colleges would encompass all post primary schools in the two Dioceses. At the age of 14, all pupils would transfer to a 14-19 College in Enniskillen.

* Option 1a - the potential for developing a 4-14 model which may bring together primary and post-primary schools into one single institution in both Derrylin and Brollagh. Along with these schools will be the two 11-14 years of age, non-selective colleges, at Enniskillen and Lisnaskea along with the 14-19 College in Enniskillen.

* Option 2 - the establishment of two non-selective 11-16 colleges, with the development of a 6th form centre or college in Enniskillen. At post-16, all pupils who wish to do so would transfer to a 16-19 College based on two sites in Enniskillen.

* Option 3 - the establishment of two non-selective 11-19 colleges in Lisnaskea and Enniskillen.

The Post Primary Review spokesman said that, with the publication of the proposed options, the Trustees had now initiated a pre-consultation period and were inviting key stakeholders to review and comment on the options being suggested.

"The pre-consultation process," he suggested, "provides an opportunity for the community and other key stakeholders to influence the development of these options and to identify other options. The Project Board, which gives direction on the project, will consider any alternative options which address the challenge of developing sustainable post-primary education which meet the needs of all children within the two Dioceses.

"Any final decision on future structures will only be made after a further formal consultation process with parents, pupils and other key stakeholders within the community and in the context of clear direction from government on the future of post-primary education across Northern Ireland".

Speaking of the publication of the proposed options, Bishop Joseph Duffy, the Chair of the Project Board for the post-primary review in the Dioceses of Clogher and Kilmore issued the following statement:

"As Chair of the Project Board for the Post- Primary Review of the Dioceses of Clogher and Kilmore, I would like to express my support and gratitude for the work currently being undertaken in the review of post- primary provision within the Dioceses.

"Schools within the two Dioceses have been challenged to review the delivery of both primary and post primary education and to design options and plans for the future. In doing so, the project must address the need to work collaboratively with other education providers in the region for the mutual benefit of all pupils and with the ultimate aim of improving choice for all parents and pupils who attend our schools.

'Catholic schools have a vital role to play in the continued development of a truly pluralist society in the North of Ireland and they are open and inclusive centres of learning.

'The review has already clarified significant challenges for all of us if we are to maintain the pivotal role of the school in our parish communities. It is clear from the ongoing work that we need to meet these challenges with the ultimate aim of securing the long term future of a sustainable and vibrant Catholic education community.

'We are now at a stage where decisions need to be made on a complex range of issues. The education of our young people affects us all, so it is very important that we consult as widely as possible to ensure that all options are considered.

"The options being proposed', Bishop Duffy concluded, 'represent a potential way forward, but no decision has been made on a preferred option. Through this process, we are keen to gather the views of the community on these options and to identify other options that can address the challenges we are facing. I would encourage all to consider these options carefully and to have their say on this vital issue."