Hundreds of people took to the streets at the weekend in support of a campaign to keep a local primary school open.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools has submitted a proposal to the Education Authority to wind up St Mary's PS Fivemiletown this summer.
The school, which has 43 pupils and three classrooms, could close from August 31 but a group representing parents, governors and staff believe it currently meets the minimum standards to stay open.
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Around 500 people joined the march through the Co Tyrone town on Saturday in the show of support for the group leading the campaign.
The final decision on whether the school will close or not will come down to an Education Minister, or in the lack of a Stormont Executive, a Permanent Secretary.
The chair of the school’s board of governors, Fergal Foy, said the show of support should send a strong signal to those at the CCMS and the Department of Education.
"Today was an incredible showing of support for our school, and parents, staff and most importantly the children were absolutely delighted to see such massive crowds turn out to show their support for St Mary's,” Fergal said.
“The atmosphere was outstanding, with local business owners and customers standing out to applaud as we passed by.
“The fact we were joined by our local MP, Michelle Gildernew, MLAs including Colm Gildernew and Aine Murphy, Councillors from both Mid Ulster and Fermanagh and Omagh Councils including Donal O'Cofaigh, Sean McGuigan, Garbhan McPhillips and Sheamus Greene, and hundreds of people from across Fivemiletown and beyond, was a strong signal of the level of support we have across the community.
"And while this was a significant morale boost for those of us who have been fighting this campaign for so long, it was much more significant than that. It was a strong, loud and clear message to CCMS and the Department of Education that schools like ours are a vibrant and vital part of our rural community.”
The CCMS has said it is continuing to work with those in the local community in order to explore options for how to keep the school open.
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