Parents at St Joseph's Primary School in Donagh, County Fermanagh, are to hold a four-day peaceful protest outside the school in response to the permanent closure of its kitchen.

The protest will take place each day from Tuesday September 1 to Friday September 4, between 11.30am and 1pm.

The Education Authority (EA) has decided to replace on-site meal preparation with meals transported from Maguiresbridge Primary School. The EA says the change will save approximately £36,000 a year, based on around 47 meals being produced daily.

Parents have stated that they are not opposed to the school meals service, but want meals to continue to be prepared and served in Donagh. A large majority of parents who have expressed a view have said they will provide packed lunches from September 1 rather than accept the transported meals.

The campaign group has raised concerns about the consultation process, the short lead-in time, food quality and temperature, the handling of allergies and special dietary requirements, and the wider impact on the school. They are also asking the EA to clarify whether the closure forms part of a wider strategy to consolidate school meal production into fewer kitchens.

Parents have called on the EA to pause the decision and properly consider alternatives. They have held a public meeting, launched a petition, and contacted the EA, the Education Minister, and local MLAs.

The campaign has received backing from Donagh Development Association/Community Association and St Patrick's GFC, who have also called for the decision to be paused.