STRATHCLYDE Regional Council's education committee agreed in Glasgow

yesterday to close St Aelred's and St Mirin's and St Margaret's Roman

Catholic high schools in Paisley.

Pupils in the first and third years will be split between two other

schools. Those in the catchment areas of St Paul's and St Peter's

primaries will go to Sacred Heart High School, and pupils in St James

and St Fergus catchment areas will go to a new school in the former John

Neilson High school building.

Pupils in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth years at St Aelred's and

St Mirin's and St Margaret's will be transferred at the beginning of the

1990-91 session, and the schools will be closed.

Pupils from St Mary's primary school who are transferring to secondary

school for the 1989-90 session will use the new school in the John

Neilson building.

The Secretary of State for Scotland has still to approve the

Strathclyde decisions.

Councillor Dr Malcolm Green, the education committee chairman, said:

''The problem of Roman Catholic secondary education has been a very

difficult one indeed. The solution offered today has been taken only

after extensive examination of the problem. There has also been

extensive consultation and I believe that the solution we are referring

to the Secretary of State offers the very best use of educational

resources and the best possible provision for the Roman Catholic

community in Paisley.''