Arson-Hit School Rebuilding In Doubt

There are doubts today over the rebuilding of an arson-hit Co Antrim primary school.

The North-Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) is to press Northern Ireland Education Minister, Catriona Ruane to approve work on the rebuilding of a primary school, according to the BBC.

Whitehouse Primary School was destroyed in an arson attack in July 2009. It was one of a series of what were seen as 'tit-for-tat' sectarian attacks on schools.


The Minister announced at the time that funds would be provided to rebuild the school, although the Department of Education has since said that these funds have been "significantly reduced".

The Department said the relative priority of pupils at Whitehouse, who are currently being taught in temporary classrooms at Newtownabbey Community School, would be judged against needs of pupils elsewhere.

However, NEELB Board members say they are "frustrated" at the decision to postpone the rebuilding.

The Chief Executive of the Board, Gordon Topping, has claimed he received a "personal assurance" from Minister Ruane that the approvals process would be "fast-tracked" at the time of the fire.

See: School Gets New Home As Blaze Probed

(NS/BMcC)