A RURAL school given a stay of execution to allow it to explore a cross-border model, is to shut.
St Mary's High School in Brollagh, Co Fermanagh will close next year, the Irish News has learned.
It had originally been proposed that it shut in 2015, however, then education minister John O'Dowd went against his advisers by deciding it should remain open.
At that time it had 121 pupils, considerably fewer than the 500 required to be "viable". Last year that had dropped to just 89.
Accessibility is a major issue for children. If St Mary's shut, pupils have to travel into Enniskillen even though the school is closer to Donegal.
Mr O'Dowd asked that cross-border collaboration be further explored.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools had already rejected a partnership model because each component school would have to be sustainable in its own right.
A business case said St Mary's was not viable. It had a deficit of about -£437,000 in 2013, which was expected to rise to -£791,000 by 2016.
In October last year, education minister Peter Weir said his officials agreed with the CCMS analysis "that a cross-border approach would not meet required quality thresholds, nor would such an approach be cost effective".
Now, in a letter seen by the Irish News, CCMS said it had again explored the cross border options.
"Having reviewed the position of the school, CCMS is now consulting on the proposal to close the school with effect from August 31 2018. On this occasion, CCMS has decided to carry out this consultation in writing. Officers from CCMS will meet with stakeholders, if required," the letter read.
"In undertaking this exercise, CCMS endeavours to ensure that the best educational interests of the children remain the focus of our attention."
