Model is integrated
Thursday, 25 September 2008
THE OFFICIAL announcement last week that integrated status has been approved for Ballymoney Model Primary School has stirred up mixed emotions as a number of parents and several members of the Board of Governors have had differing opinions on the effect it will have on the future of the school.
The decision of the Education Minister and the Board of Governors to grant the integration proposal has caused grave concern which has been voiced by different bodies connected to the school.
The principal of the school, Mr George McVeigh, has said he hopes the community will "embrace this new era in a constructive and optimistic manner."
However, not everyone is willing to 'embrace the new era', with a number of bodies speaking out against the new move, which would see Ballymoney Model Primary School transform to controlled integrated status with effect from September 1 2009 or as soon as possible thereafter.
There are those who welcome the move and are pleased with the announcement whilst it has fallen foul of others, including several members of the Board of Governors.
North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey is on the Board of Governors and has condemned the decision of Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to grant Integrated status to the Model, describing the decision as unnecessary and divisive.
"I totally oppose this unnecessary decision made by the Education Minister. This whole campaign to transform Model primary School was driven initially by people from outside of the school. Regrettably it has since become an exercise in protecting self interest and playing the pupil numbers game." said Mr Storey.
He added: "This campaign to transform Model Primary School has been divisive from day one and has succeeded in dividing parents. The Minister's decision has the potenial to further reinforce that division. It is not in the best interests of the school.
"The Model School is already 'integrated' in everything but name in that it already caters for all sections of the community and welcomes all and excludes none. It endeavours to deliver excellence to all its pupils. It does all of that without being shackled to ideology. It should have been left alone to get on with its excellent work and not dragged into the realm of social engineering."
A man pleased with the announcement is Rev Trevor Magowan vice chairman of the Board of Governors who has supported the idea of integration since its first proposal. He is very positive regarding the integration. He said: "I am very much in favour of this integration. It was a democratic decision taken by a majority of parents and a majority is still a majority even though it's a narrow majority.
“We followed the Department of Education's policy regarding voting. The teaching staff were unanimous in wanting the integrated route. All staff also voted in a majority to go that way too.
“I myself feel very privileged to live in Ballymoney, it has one great asset and that is its ethos, which is tolerance and good community relations. Many people both inside and outside of Ballymoney want an integrated school in Ballymoney.
“Ballymoney Model PS is very fortunate to have a fine principal and a teaching tradition it can be proud of. All three of my children attended the school and we were delighted with the whole teaching and care they received."
DUP Cllr Mr Ian Stevenson is a past pupil of Ballymoney Model and is a member of the Board of Governors. Mr Stevenson has been vocal before on his position regarding integration of the Model. He said he is "saddened and appalled" by this "absolutely disgusting" outcome.
He said: "As a local councillor, I leave my political position at the door whenever it comes to being a Governor at Ballymoney Model Primary School. As a former pupil and Governor that I believe I am speaking, in concern for the best interests of the school I love. However I am deeply saddened and appalled, not by the decision to change to Integrated status (though I strongly disagree with it), but by what I perceive as the manipulated and one-sided process which led up to it, a process which could be likened in some aspects to an electoral contest in Zimbabwe.
"In all my time in politics and in other responsibilities I have never been as grieved or lost sleep over any matter as I have over the workings which led to this decision. If a fair debate had been had, with all sides being aired, if a fair ballot had been carried out, if a conclusive result had been reached, then I would have accepted the result, but I certainly cannot accept this affront to democracy.
“Even with the 53% in favour of the integrated education model, that in itself is not in my eyes sufficient for such a major change for the school.
