Markethill High School public meeting put back to later date

A PUBLIC meeting planned as part of a campaign calling for a new-build for Markethill High School due to take place on Monday has been postponed.

The meeting had been called by the Orange Order’s Markethill District LOL No 10 with a number of local politicians invited to attend.

And while a number of local Councillors and the MLA for the area had accepted the invitation, two key participants - the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (herself a former pupil) and Educations Minister Paul Givan - had indicated they could not.

The meeting had been scheduled to take place on Monday, September 16.

A spokesperson for Markethill District LOL said, “The motivation for the move came as a direct result of widespread frustration and ever-growing anger at the outdated physical state of the school which was built over 65 years ago to accommodate 200 pupils but that today, alongside a labyrinth of prefabricated cabins, houses over 500!

“The concerns surrounding the state of the school and the need for better facilities has been raised with our politicians and statutory agencies for literally decades but with rarely any positive outcome bar empty promises and close to insignificant gestures.

“As we enter the 2024-2025 school year a third generation of Markethill children are still being taught in mobile classrooms. When compared with other schools of a similar nature in the mid and south-Armagh areas, this is simply not acceptable!

“In it’s role as a facilitator, District 10 would like to say this postponement is due to positive moves around a new School behind the scenes. Unfortunately, and perhaps of no surprise to many, it is not.

“Seven politicians, being our local Councillors, our MLA, the Education Minister and the Deputy First Minister, were invited by letters sent on the 5th July to speak to the Markethill community about the future of our children’s education.”

Serving Councillors Gareth Wilson, Gordon Kennedy, Paul Berry and Keith Ratcliffe, alongside William Irwin MLA, had all confirmed they would attend.

The spokesperson said, “Following several reminders and chasers Paul Givan, Minister of Education and Emma Little-Pengelly, Deputy First Minister and former pupil of Markethill High School, replied on the 30th August stating they could not attend.

“Without the presence of these two senior political figures, it is felt that the proposed Public Meeting to be held next Monday 16th September would not adequately reflect the seriousness of our objective. The meeting has therefore been postponed

“We have written to our Minister of Education and Deputy First Minister requesting that they provide dates between late October and early December when they would be available to attend a Public Meeting on the single issue on the future of Markethill High School.

“We cannot imagine that they would not be prepared to make themselves available to attend an event of such importance to grassroots Unionist voters in the greater Markethill area.”

The spokesperson pointed out both are prominent members of the Democratic Unionist Party nd their Party Leader Gavin Robinson recently stated that his Party has to begin listening to voters again.

Indeed, it was pointed out, Mr Robinson spoke on the need for that engagement directly stating, ‘We are servants of the people and must listen to what they have to say’.

The Markethill spokesperson said, “In light of their party policy, the expectation of Unionism across the board is that DUP representatives will demonstrate their level of commitment to it.

“This issue offers an opportunity for the DUP, its Deputy First Minister and Minister of Education, to demonstrate the sincerity behind this ‘new’ approach. Not just for Markethill, but Northern Ireland at large.”

The spokesperson also apologised to staff at Markethill High School for their use of the word “deplorable” in a previous statement.

This, the spokesperson said, may have been interpreted by some as a criticism of School staff, particularly those responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of buildings and facilities at Markethill High School.

They said, “That was most certainly not the case and we apologise if any offence has been taken.

“Markethill District 10 would reiterate its full support for the Board of Governors, Headmaster, Teaching Staff and all ancillary staff at Markethill High School.

“Indeed, we would have no hesitation in stating that such support exists universally. The lack of modern teaching facilities is no reflection on these dedicated and principled individuals. It does, however, reflect on the failure of the political establishment and Statutory Agencies when dealing with the School.”

They went on, “We would take this opportunity to thank the many hundreds of individuals who have voiced their support for our Markethill High School campaign, who pledged their attendance to any Public Meetings and who, perhaps most importantly, signalled their desire to become involved and to work further in any campaign towards movement in what has become a struggle for the education of our children.

“Much lip-service is often paid to what is important in life. There is no debate. What is most important is our children and their future.”

They concluded, “Markethill District 10 will be furthering the goals of the campaign on the ground over the coming weeks and months. Updates on the responses from our politicians, or otherwise, will be issued periodically.”