Quote from Alex bobby on January 27, 2025, 5:10 AM

Storm Éowyn Causes Widespread School Closures Across Northern Ireland

Severe weather from Storm Éowyn has led to the closure of ten schools across Northern Ireland on Monday due to significant structural damage. Education Minister Paul Givan announced the closures after meeting with the Education Authority (EA) on Saturday. In addition to closures, some schools may need to shift to remote learning while repairs are underway.

The storm has caused widespread damage, with 154 reports of structural issues to school buildings since Friday. Reports range from fallen roof tiles and uprooted trees to more severe structural damage, putting the safety of students and staff at risk.

Significant Impact on Schools

Speaking on Good Morning Ulster, Minister Givan highlighted the challenges:

“There’s been over 150 incidents of damage to schools, ranging from fallen roof tiles to significant structural damage. It has been a hugely disruptive storm,” he said.

The storm also disrupted power supplies, leaving 80 schools without electricity as of Sunday evening. This number had briefly improved but increased again after further adverse weather conditions over the weekend.

Additionally, more than 300 schools experienced power outages, resulting in spoiled food supplies in school freezers. Givan stressed the importance of prioritizing safety:

“Maintenance teams have been out on the ground undertaking essential repairs and assessing whether it is safe to reopen. The safety of children and staff is paramount,” he said.

Remote Learning Solutions

For schools unable to resume in-person teaching on Monday, the Department of Education has arranged for remote learning to continue. However, Givan acknowledged that some students may face difficulties accessing online materials due to power outages or internet disruptions.

“Schools will understand if children are unable to complete work that is set online if pupils do not have electricity or internet access,” he said.

While the majority of schools are expected to reopen on Tuesday, the situation remains fluid, with teams working tirelessly to address structural and logistical challenges.

Affected Schools

The Department of Education has released a list of affected schools spanning several regions. These closures include:

Western Region

• Drumrane Primary School, BT47 4NL
• Strabane Primary School, BT82 8DX
• St John the Baptist Primary School Belleek, BT93 3DP
• Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Greencastle, BT79 7QP

North Eastern Region

• Carhill Integrated School, BT51 5PQ
• North Coast Integrated School, BT52 2NU
• Culcrow Primary School, BT51 4BT
• Ampertaine Primary School, BT46 5SB

South Eastern Region

• Donaghadee Primary School, BT21 0BD
• Lisnasharragh Primary School, BT6 9LS
• Clifton Special School, BT19 1RH
• St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College, BT24 8XS
• Killyleagh Integrated Primary School, BT30 9SR

Southern Region

• Ballytrea Primary School, BT71 5NY
• Moyallon Primary School, BT63 5JY
• Derrylatinee Primary School, BT70 1PS
• Killicomaine Junior High School, BT63 5JE
• Donaghey Primary School, BT71 5LN
• St Matthew’s Primary School Magheramayo, BT31 9AZ

Transportation and Safety Concerns

The EA confirmed that transportation services will operate as normal on Monday. However, road closures and ongoing disruptions may impact routes, potentially causing delays for students who can attend school.

The Path to Recovery

Despite the damage and disruption caused by Storm Éowyn, Minister Givan expressed hope that the majority of schools would reopen by Tuesday. Maintenance teams continue to work tirelessly, and structural assessments are ongoing to ensure schools are safe for students and staff.

The storm has highlighted the fragility of infrastructure and the importance of preparedness in responding to extreme weather. As Northern Ireland recovers from this event, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

For a full list of affected schools and updates, visit the NI Direct website.