Concern at threat over centres axe

Concern at threat over centres axe

25 January 2017

CONCERN about the closure and downgrading of local residential and outdoor education centres has been raised with Stormont Education Minister Peter Weir.

South Down MLAs Colin McGrath and Sinead Bradley met with Mr Weir last week to discuss controversial proposals from the Education Authority to close and downgrade a number of the centres used by thousands of children in the district, appealing for some “imaginative thinking” to keep them open.

Delamont in Killyleagh, Ardnabannon in Castlewellan and the Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre are those affected locally, and there are concerns over the future of others in Killowen, near Rostrevor.

Politicians have warned the closure of the outdoor education centres in the Lecale and Mourne area would have an “extremely negative” impact on the area and have asked the Education Authority to reconsider its proposals.

Mr McGrath and Ms Bradley outlined concerns about the closure and downgrading of facilities across the community during their meeting with Mr Weir, urging him to explore “all potential alternatives” to keep them open.

“We are keen to see these centres remain open and consideration must be given to this before wielding the axe on what is an invaluable resource to the South Down community,” declared Mr McGrath.

“As a user of these centres for over 25 years, their closure would represent a huge loss to South Down. The centres provide a wide range of educational opportunities to our young people. They are a bedrock of our community and create learning experiences that go beyond that which can be taught in classrooms. When education provision should be diversifying, closing outdoor centres should not be an option.”

Ms Bradley emphasised the value the various centres bring to their respective areas and the constituency as a whole.

“The centres are a fundamental part of the education of our children and also contribute to our local economy, providing jobs and attracting visitors to South Down,” she said.

Ms Bradley added: “We urged the Education Minister to do all that he can do prevent these closures. With a bit of imaginative thinking, I see no reason why the opportunities afforded through the outdoor education centres should be denied to the young people of South Down and beyond.”