Rogers is critical of college rundown

Rogers is critical of college rundown

4 May 2016

THE South Eastern Regional College has been accused of putting the future of its Newcastle campus at risk by focusing its commitment and investment on its other campuses in the area.

SDLP South Down Assembly election candidate Sean Rogers claims local people believe the College’s development strategy does not reflect the needs of the community in Newcastle and that there has been “calculated disinvestment” at its Castlewellan Road base in the provision of full-time and recreational courses.

He is challenging those in charge of the College to answer accusations that their blueprint centres on focusing attention on their campuses in Downpatrick, Lisburn and Bangor..

The MLA declared: “A substantial amount of public money was spent on delivering the Newcastle College only for that investment to be now in a very questionable place. Certainly staff I have been in contact with feel the College’s management has no real commitment to expanding and supporting its commitment in the resort. The treatment of the Newcastle campus is one that requires a completely honest and transparent explanation by College bosses.

“We have a marvellous educational facility in the middle of Newcastle but it is one that is under resourced and underused. Newcastle is a growing town; it needs to have a properly functioning major educational and learning outlet capable of meeting its specific community and economic needs. That simply is not happening at present under the South Eastern Regional College in relation to Newcastle.”

Mr Rogers asked why tourism and leisure courses are not delivered in the district’s premier tourist resort, suggesting courses training people to work in food preparation and delivery to customers could be delivered in Newcastle and help people secure future employment.

He said there is a growing premium for top quality chefs across Ireland and believes that with the continued expansion of the tourism market, it could be argued strongly that the College’s lack of focus on Newcastle is a “wasted opportunity.”

“In the new Stormont mandate, the issues of investment strategies and the value for money factor related to the further and higher education sector would have to be closely examined. The Newcastle campus is a prime example of the broader issues relating to wrongly targeted priorities.

Education cannot be allowed to be directed by the needs of accountants.”

The MLA added: “Staff have complained to me they feel the drip feed rundown of Newcastle is part of a wider agenda designed to make the site one that will ultimately force its closure. The College will deny there is any such agenda but a look at empty classrooms and the sadly very neglected and rundown state of the exterior of the campus and the alarm bells start to ring very loudly.” 

A College spokeswoman said the organisation is committed to providing access to further and higher education courses across Co Down. She explained as part of this commitment, the Newcastle campus offers a range of courses which were heavily promoted through regional marketing campaigns. 

The spokeswoman added: “The College continues to refine and develop new course offerings for the Newcastle campus. However, only those courses which have sufficient enrolments can run to ensure the College is operating effectively and efficiently. Whilst we understand that these circumstances may be disappointing, the College must remain focused on delivering an efficient public service and remains committed to the campus and would encourage local people to enrol.”