School remains closed for second day due to safety concerns regarding the roof

Over 200 students at Nazareth House Primary School in Londonderry were kept at home on Thursday morning after safety inspections revealed serious concerns about the building's roof.

Parents, including Terri Lamberton, are anxious about the impact of the closure on their childrens well-being. Lamberton, who has a seven-year-old son with special educational needs and a 10-year-old daughter at the school, emphasized the importance of routine for her son. "Interruptions to his learning affect his ability to retain information and increase his anxiety," she explained.

The school initially closed on Wednesday after an inspection confirmed the roof was unsafe. Lamberton described the sudden closure as a shock that left families unprepared. She urged parents to remain patient and supportive of the school community during this difficult time.

Principal Risn Blackery highlighted that concerns about the buildings structure have existed for over 20 years. The school, which has been operating in a building dating back to 1902, submitted a proposal for a new roof in 2017, but no action was taken. "We have repeatedly raised issues about damp and peeling wallpaper, yet the necessary repairs were delayed," she said.

Bishop Donal McKeown, chair of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, criticized the lack of funding for school maintenance. He emphasized that underfunding statutory services has long-term consequences for childrens education and safety. "This closure was inevitable given the ongoing maintenance challenges," he stated.

The Education Authority (EA) confirmed that urgent repair work has been prioritized to reopen the school as quickly as possible. However, due to limited budgets, only emergency maintenance can currently be carried out, raising concerns about the sustainability of school building upkeep in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Education has been approached for comment regarding the situation.

Author: Natalie Monroe