An official sod-cutting ceremony marked the commencement of construction of the Strule Shared Education Campus in Omagh, County Tyrone, yesterday (May 14).

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Education Minister Paul Givan broke ground on the development at the 140-acre site as staff, pupils and invited guests celebrated the occasion. The Executive provided an additional £150million in funding to drive this long-awaited project forward.

At the ceremony, First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "This is a hugely positive day for Omagh and for Tyrone as we mark the start of construction on the Strule Shared Education Campus.

"There is no doubt this campus will bring significant benefits to the local community. It will provide state-of-the-art facilities and access to the first-class opportunities that our young people deserve."

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Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: "Strule Shared Education Campus has always been regarded as a vision for the future of education in Northern Ireland and today is an important milestone in that journey."

Construction of the campus commenced in February and is set to open to over 4,000 children and young people from six schools and from all backgrounds, who will come together on a modern and vibrant campus from September 2028.

The schools will work together to provide a shared curriculum and extra-curricular activities while retaining their individuality and ethos.

Education Minister Paul Givan noted that the Strule project represented a "major investment" in the west's shared education future.

He continued: "Today's sod-cutting ceremony marks a significant day in the progress of the project and demonstrates my commitment to delivering the benefits that shared education offers to our young people. This new campus will provide a vibrant and dynamic learning environment where all pupils can thrive together.

"The project will also provide hundreds of jobs and apprenticeship opportunities that will contribute to Strule's legacy of economic development in Tyrone.

"I pay tribute to the school leaders and other stakeholders across the education sector whose commitment to this project has been central to ensuring this landmark day has been reached."