Primary school closures back on agenda

EDUCATION will again consider closing primary schools.

It said so today in its response to the Denis Mulkerrin review of primary education, which made a wide range of recommendations.

In his report, Mr Mulkerrin said that with the department having to make savings of £1.6m., it was to be expected it would consider the closure of primary schools,

In its response, the department said the rationalisation of the primary sector was one of the key areas where it could make real efficiency savings without detriment to the delivery of education.

'The new Education board will be discussing the rationalisation of the primary sector with a view to bringing forward proposals as soon as practicable.

'The department agrees with Mr Mulkerrin's statement that education cannot be solely about efficiency, it must also be about quality. However, as Mr Mulkerrin notes, the States have given the department significant savings targets to achieve in the coming years.'