Following the publication of its 'Pre-consultation document on the future of Controlled/Voluntary Post-primary Education in Fermanagh,' the Western Education and Library Board now want to hear the views of the public on the options outlined in this document.
The Board is 'strongly' encouraging the Fermanagh community to respond to the pre-consultation process and to express their views on the future provision of education within the county, outlining their preferred option or, indeed an alternative option.
Its spokesman emphasised that the pre-consultation exercise is not about closing schools but, rather, is about seeking the views of the community on how to shape post-primary education in Fermanagh.
The Board reiterates that it has no pre-determined outcome regarding any of the options in the pre-consultation document.
The pre-consultation document outlines five possible options for the future of controlled/voluntary post-primary education in the county. The schools involved in this are Devenish College, Portora Royal School, Collegiate Grammar, Lisnaskea High School, with Erne School and Elmbrook School also included.
The first option (A) is for things to remain as they are - Status Quo. Option B is for the creation of three colleges - a 4-14 (years of age) College; an 11-14 College and a 14 -19 College - one of these colleges would be in Lisnaskea while the other two would be located in Enniskillen.
The third option (C) is for the creation of two Colleges - an 11-14, which would see an amalgamation of Collegiate, Portora Royal, Devenish College and Lisnaskea High School, and an 11-19 College with both colleges located in Enniskillen.
Option D proposes the creation of two 11-19 Colleges - one an amalgamation of Devenish College and Lisnaskea High School, with the other an amalgam of Collegiate and Portora Grammar Schools.
The fifth option (E) is for the creation of a single campus post-primary college.
The Western Board's aim is that the young people of Fermanagh will enjoy a high quality, pupil-centred educational experience supported by a fit-for-purpose schools' estate. It believes that the pre-consultation exercise highlights the fact that schools cannot exist in isolation and that communities need to engage collaboratively in the future.
The public are invited to two Information Evenings - on Monday 28th January 2008 in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, and on Tuesday 29th January 2008 in the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea. Both evenings will commence at 7.30pm.
John Compton, Senior Economist with Pricewaterhousecoopers (PWC), will attend both sessions and will give a presentation on the role of education in supporting economic regeneration in Fermanagh.
"The purpose of these Information Evenings," said the WELB spokesman, "is to raise the public's awareness of the social and economic issues impacting on Fermanagh, and how education can support the regeneration of the area in terms of the need for skills' retention and real investment in its economy."
It is envisaged these Information Evenings will support the community's contribution to both the present pre-consultation process and future consultation processes.
Following the presentation by Mr Compton, there will be an opportunity for the community from the controlled/voluntary sector to meet senior Board officers to discuss issues relating to the pre-consultation document.
Responses from members of the public/local community to the pre-consultation process must be received by 26th February 2008.
The document itself can be accessed on the Board's website 'www.welbni.org', or for further information you can call 028 82411411.
