Conall's News
McDevitt: 'Sword of Damocles over many schools and communities
SDLP Education Spokesperson Conall McDevitt has said it is essential that communities are given an opportunity to respond to proposed school closures as outlined in a report by the Commission for Catholic Education.
The South Belfast MLA said: "The SDLP will be studying this report in great detail as these proposed closures will cause significant worry for many communities across the North.
"The potential implications of these decisions are very serious and it is essential that communities are given an opportunity to respond to these proposals.
"The SDLP is seeking an urgent meeting with CCMS to discuss this report in detail. We believe that this could be the beginning of a destabilising week for education as the Viability Audit results expected this week could also place a Sword of Damocles over many schools and communities.
"The SDLP does welcome the leadership the leadership being shown by the Catholic Commission for Education and the CCMS on the issue of selection. There is no serious case to be made for selection at 11. It flies in the face of best international practice and the best interests of the child.
"I again appeal to all parties to engage in a determined process to ensure that our education system is built on the twin principles of social equity and educational excellence. That will not be achieved if we continue bogged down in a debate about an exam nobody wants."