Jobs lost as funds run out for shared teachers scheme
Mary O'Kane said the closure of the scheme was "very disappointing" A scheme that employed teachers to be shared by Catholic and controlled primary schools has ended.
This is despite the fact that it was judged a big success in getting schools, pupils and parents of different religions to mingle.
The loss of funding means ten jobs for ten shared teachers have been lost.
Twenty-three schools in County Antrim took part in a series of partnerships between schools attended mostly by either Catholics or Protestants.
The results were deemed impressive, but charity funding has now ended.
Mary O'Kane, principal of St Brigid's Primary School, Mayogall, said: "I think it is very disappointing. I realise there are priorities on finances and budgets from every quarter. But we benefited from having this and we would dearly have loved to have been able to continue with it."
Two schools thought the scheme was so valuable that they are spending their own budgets to buy in a shared teacher for two days a week.
Donna Winters of Duneane Primary and Emer Hughes of Moneynick Catholic Primary have clubbed together to find the money but Ms Winters said: "We don't know how long we'll be able to fund the shared teacher ourselves, even though we do want to continue it at all costs".
Mrs Hughes said: "The results have been amazing, not just for pupils but for teacher, principals and parents."
The cross-community partnerships have made some schools consider setting up shared campuses in the future.
A spokeswoman for the North Eastern Education and Library Board which administered the project said it was not in a position to continue, but it was pleased that the scheme was leaving "a lasting legacy".
The cross-community partnerships have made some schools consider setting up shared campuses in the future.
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