The Education Authority says it has engaged with an independent road safety engineer to review processes for determining the locations and replacement of School Crossing Patrols.
The announcement has come six months after a crossing patrol was removed from St Francis’ Primary School in Lurgan, causing many parents to report their serious safety concerns to local representatives.
The primary school has an attendance of over 800 children and is located just metres from one of the “busiest arterial routes in Lurgan”, Francis Street.
Back in April, Deputy Leader for the Alliance Party, Eoin Tennyson spoke to UTV about what he regarded as the Education Authority’s (EA) “mind-boggling” decision to remove the patrol, adding that he was working with the school community and other local representatives, with Alliance “pressing” the Education Minister and the EA to change course.
The matter was also taken up by Sinn Féin Councillor Mary O’Dowd and APNI Councillor Peter Lavery, who both urged the EA to reverse their decision.
Speaking at the time, Cllr O’Dowd said: “While we recognise the severe financial pressures facing the Education Authority and the wider education sector, we are deeply concerned that cost-cutting measures are now putting children’s safety at risk.
“The decision to pause the recruitment of School Crossing Patrols, including at high-risk sites like St Francis/ Bunscoil Niamh Proinsias, Lurgan, is unacceptable — particularly when the road outside the school is known to be extremely busy and dangerous.
“This is not a hypothetical risk; the community has tragically experienced the loss of a child in the past, and even the patrol officer himself has faced danger multiple times due to reckless driving.
“We welcome the recent decision by the EA to lift the pause on recruitment and assessments, and we urge that St Francis/Bunscoil Niamh Proinsias be prioritised.
“With over 800 children attending the school and Naiscoil, it is vital that every possible measure is taken to ensure their safety.
“Sinn Féin will continue to work closely with the school, parents, and the local community to keep pressure on the EA to deliver a timely and effective response. The safety of our children must never be a secondary consideration, regardless of budget constraints.”
True to his word, MLA Tennyson has now asked the Minister of Education to detail any plans he has to review the policy on School Crossing Patrols to ensure it is fit for purpose and to protect children’s safety.
However, the Department for Education – who are not responsible for the delivery, operation or management of the School Crossing Patrol Scheme – have been unable to weigh in other than to provide a response from EA.
Said Minister Paul Givan: “My department is responsible for the Home to School Transport Policy and the Education Authority (EA) for the delivery of school transport, which includes the operation and management of the School Crossing Patrol (SCP) Scheme.
“The EA determines if a location warrants a new or a replacement SCP based on processes laid out in its School Crossing Patrol Scheme guidance, which is available online: School Crossing Patrols (SCPs) | Education Authority Northern Ireland (eani.org.uk).”
Minister Givan did seek answers from EA, and was subsequently advised that it is “currently engaged” with an Independent Road Safety Engineer to review aspects of the processes outlined in the EA SCP Scheme.
