EDUCATION claims that the number of primary school pupils was falling were rubbished yesterday. Deputy Francis Quin said figures released to the Demographics Policy Group, of which he is a member, indicated that the number had risen in the past four years, not declined.
‘As a member of the group, I find it very strange that the board has suggested pupil numbers have fallen considerably over the past few years and is projected to fall even further until 2020, while the figures we have received from Social Security contradict that,’ he said.
Those figures indicated that there had been an increase of 215 pupils up to nine years old between 2004 and 2007 and an increase of 102 in the same period of 10- to 16-year-olds.
‘It appears these figures seem to be at odds with whatever the Education Department has based its decision on.’
Education confirmed yesterday that St Andrew’s Primary and St Sampson’s Infants are closure targets.
Deputy Quin said he would do everything in his power to keep St Andrew’s School open.
‘Over my dead body will they close that school,’ he said.
‘This is something I am prepared to fight for.
‘Even if I am not in the next House, I will still battle on to make sure this doesn’t happen.
‘I would have liked this to have come to this House, but it won’t now,’ he said.
He said St Andrew’s school was at the heart of the parish.
‘St Andrew’s is unique in that there’s no coastline and no shopping centre, but it’s got a fantastic church and school at its heart.’
He said he didn’t want the threat of closure to become an election issue.
‘I hope the election doesn’t focus on this as a single issue and the fact that ‘the debate’ won’t come to the House until Autumn shouldn’t be the case.
‘If somebody came in saying that St Andrew’s should close then let’s be realistic about how many votes it is going to get.’
Parish resident Deputy Mike O’Hara said he would be backing parents to try to give the primary school a secure future.
‘No matter what they say about education and bigger schools, it’s not about that. It is budget-driven, there is no question about it,’ he said.
‘When it comes to information about children and education we have to take a step back and say what is more important and for me it will always be the children.’
He said the whole matter had been handled appallingly, with a firm decision not expected on the future of the school until late this year.
‘All this is doing is increasing anxiety.
‘It’s not good for the parents, it’s not good for the children and it cannot be any good for the teachers and I feel sorry for them.
‘I realise the information was leaked and the department had to react, but nevertheless I still think it’s terrible that it will be for the next House to make a decision at the end of the year,’ he said.
He said class sizes should be kept small.
‘I do not agree with the philosophy of taking children out of St Andrew’s and putting them into other schools. It is far better for those children’s education for them to be in a small school.’
Deputy Janine Le Sauvage questioned why Education wanted to close a school which was visibly a success.
‘I will not accept the closure of St Andrew’s Primary School,’ she said.
‘Why try to change something that works so well?
‘My main concern is for the children. It is very easy for children to get lost in big classes in large schools.
‘The children at this school are taught the value of community and I believe this is fundamental to their future.’
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