SENIOR civil servants have told two schools they are to shut down this year.
It is the first time since devolution was restored that any school closure has been approved by someone other than a minister.
Tullycarnet PS in Belfast and Anamar PS in south Armagh will cease at the end of this school year.
They were two of eight school closure proposals left in the balance by the situation at Stormont.
A total of 24 school reorganisation projects, which also include expansions and mergers, had been left waiting to be signed off by a minister.
Numerous sectors will be affected, the majority hoping the changes can be made by August this year.
Talks aimed at restoring the power-sharing Executive have been put on hold until the general election on June 8 is over, leaving little time for decisions to be made.
The publication of `development proposals' is always followed by a two month consultation period. After that, the education minister will receive reports and guidance from officials before deciding whether or not to approve.
The Irish News previously reported that there was no need for a minister to be in place for a final decision to be taken, although this has not happened until now.
The Department of Education said its permanent secretary could rubber stamp proposals for which the consultation period had ended.
Proposals being considered by department officials at present concern schools including grammar, integrated, nursery, Catholic maintained and Irish-medium providers.
Permanent secretary Derek Baker has signed off six different proposals this month.
The first, a plan to establish a single pre-school afternoon session with 26 part-time places at Enniskillen Integrated PS, was turned down.
The department confirmed that this was the first such proposal approved by a permanent secretary since devolution.
Since then, Mr Baker has rejected a bid for a new Irish college in Derry, increased enrolments in two south Armagh primary schools, and approved the closure of Anamar and Tullycarnet.
Tullycarnet filled just 46 of its available 552 places this year. Department officials presented a report to Mr Baker which recommended it shut.
"Any decision to close a school is an exceptionally significant issue which merits careful consideration," Mr Baker said.
"However, in light of the clearly expressed views, decline in numbers which undermines the school's viability, educational experience for pupils and availability of capacity in neighbouring primary schools, I accept the recommendations."
At Anamar, 26 of its 91 places were filled.
