'End uncertainty over school closures now'

CONTINUED uncertainty about the future of two primary schools is unfair on everyone involved, a PTA chairman has said. St Andrew's Primary and St Sampson's Infant are currently being considered for cost-cutting closure by the Education Department.

Minister Carol Steere has said the board will inform the schools of its decision in the autumn. But Alasdair McLaren, pictured, chairman of St Andrew's PTA, said everyone connected with the school had hoped the new board would have announced its support sooner.

'This continuing uncertainty is unfair on the parents, teachers, parishioners and finally, and most importantly, the children,' he said. 'We had asked that the board publicly state its long-term support for St Andrew's Primary School before the end of this term. Why does the decision have to be made in the autumn?'

Deputy Steere is due to meet the two PTAs and said the board had recently met to discuss the issue. 'I have given an undertaking to the schools that whatever decision is taken regarding the future of these schools, they will be the first to know because I think that is owed to them,' she said. 'My message to them has been that as yet it is likely to be the autumn before the decision is made. We do not believe that decisions like this should be rushed.'