A county Armagh school has been told it is to shut its doors for the final time later this year.
Anamar Primary School, near Crossmaglen, in south Armagh will not return for the next academic year come September.
Anamar has faced the threat of closure for almost seven years, however, the axe has finally fallen on the small rural school.
Despite no Education Minister being in place at Stormont, senior civil servants have recommended the closure.
The Department of Education’s permanent secretary Derek Baker rubber-stamped the proposals following the the conclusion of a consultation period.
“Any decision to close a school is an exceptionally significant issue which merits careful consideration,” Mr Baker said.
“However, in light of the clearly expressed views, decline in numbers which undermines the school’s viability, educational experience for pupils and availability of capacity in neighbouring primary schools, I accept the recommendations.”
At Anamar, 26 of its 91 places were filled.
Tullycarnet Primary School in Belfast will also close this summer.
They were two of eight school closure proposals on the cards before the impasse at Stormont, with a total of 24 school reorganisation projects, waiting to be signed off by a minister.
