Hope on the horizon for P1 parents

In recent weeks the Star has reported on the crisis in the city’s oversubscribed primary schools, which has resulted in parents desperately trying to secure a P1 place for their child.

But following this week’s meeting Mr Donaldson said the Minister has now given assurances that places will be made available in local schools which are currently oversubscribed.

Mr Donaldson, who described the meeting as “useful”, said Mr O’Dowd had been “unaware” of the situation.

“The Minister has assured us that, if necessary, he will grant a variation on enrolments for oversubscribed schools in areas where there has been significant population growth,” explained Mr Donaldson.

“This would apply for this year while in the longer term he will look at increasing enrolment for schools that are oversubscribed,”

Mr Donaldson, who attended the meeting with Health Minister Edwin Poots and MLAs Brenda Hale, Jonathan Craig and Paul Givan, continued: “In the short term, the Minister said if there are areas where parents are unable to get their child into local schools, then he will allow schools to apply for a variation in their enrolment.

“There is a question of what support will be given to schools by way of educational funding and this is a matter we are seeking to clarify with the South Eastern Education and Library Board.

“We want to ensure schools are not disadvantaged in terms of their funding,” he continued. “The funding should follow the pupils and where additional teaching staff are required, that should be provided.”

During the meeting Mr Donaldson also raised concerns about the predicted shortfall in pre-school places in Lisburn, It had been estimated that some 200 children could be left without a local pre-school place in September.

“The Department is going to approve two new providers of pre-school places in the Lisburn area and they are currently looking at a development proposal for a nursery unit at Tonagh Primary School,” explained Mr Donaldson.

“We have asked the Department to bring forward that proposal because we believe it is essential that the unit is put in place.”

Mr Donaldson continued: “The Minister has also said he stands by his commitment that every child will have a pre-school place. If there still remains a deficit he will seek to address that as well by providing additional places to existing units.”

Mr Donaldson added that he and his colleagues were currently approaching local primary schools which are oversubscribed to discuss the options of varying enrolment to allow them to accept additional pupils in September.