Categories
Education Lurgan Upper Bann

Each Rural School Has Its Own Unique Story-O’Dowd

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said there cannot be a blanket approach to rural schools from the Education Authority and the Department of Education when it comes to Area Planning. The former Education Minister said: “Rural schools are the heartbeat of local communities in Upper Bann and further afield, and the Education Authority shouldn’t […]

Categories
Education Government Lurgan Stormont Upper Bann

O’Dowd Welcomes Funding Boost for Special Educational Needs

Sinn Féin MLA John ODowd has welcomed the announcement by finance minister Conor Murphy which will see an additional £18 million of funding to support children with special educational needs.  This money forms part of a £40 million funding package for education. The Upper Bann spokesperson and former Education Minister said: “I welcome this funding announcement of […]

Categories
Armagh Banbridge Community Education Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

45 Funded Places on Offer at HGV Training and Employment Academy

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council announces the first Labour Market Partnership project with the launch of a brand new Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) HGV Training and Employment Academy, which will deliver fully-funded training for 45 applicants to qualify as HGV drivers and guarantee an interview with a local employer with HGV vacancies. […]

Categories
Education Election 2022 South Down

McKevitt: DUP Minister Must Do More to Keep People Safe in Schools

SDLP Crotlieve councillor Karen McKevitt has said DUP Minister Michelle McIlveen must do more to keep pupils and staff safe in school. Mrs McKevitt was speaking after the Assembly was recalled on Monday to discuss the Covid-19 situation in schools, and the inaction from the Minister to take steps to mitigate the current spread of […]

Categories
Education Election 2022 Lurgan Upper Bann

Education Minister Must Deliver Robust Safety Measures For Schools

The Education Minister must deliver robust safety measures for schools, Alliance Upper Bann representative Eóin Tennyson has said. Mr Tennyson said while his party supported an Assembly recall petition to bring the Minister to the chamber, many pupils had already returned without appropriate actions being taken or plans outlined by the Department of Education.  The […]

Categories
Education Lurgan Upper Bann

O’Dowd Calls for Education Minister to Take Immediate Action Around Childcare Providers

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said the Education Minister must take immediate action to support childcare providers after 69 childminding settings closed due to Covid-19 in the first five days after the Christmas period. The Upper Bann spokesperson said:  “These closures are indicative of the severe pressure childcare providers are already experiencing due to […]

Categories
Education Election 2022 Newry

McNulty Highlights Need For Greater School Support For Pupils With Autism

SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has highlighted the need for greater school support for pupils and students with autism and other special educational needs. At Wednesday’s Assembly Education Committee, Mr McNulty raised the case of a nine-year old boy from Co Antrim, whose mother had to take the Education Authority (EA) to an […]

Categories
Banbridge Education

DfI Urged to Act at Ballydown Primary School

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has joined with parents and campaigners at Ballydown Primary School to request speed barriers to protect the children attending the school from road dangers. Carla Lockhart said: “For some time, I have been pressing DfI to install speed barriers at Ballydown Primary School. I believe the case for these is […]

Categories
Education Politics

Aontu Welcomes Announcement That Irish Language Has Been Officially Recognised As An Official EU Language

Aontú representative for East Derry and Gaeilgeoir Gemma Brolly has welcomed the announcement that the Irish Language has been officially recognised as an official EU language. She has further encouraged all citizens to use this occasion as a springboard to develop the language further. “1st January 2022 was a remarkable day in the history of […]

Categories
Education Politics

North of Ireland Minister for Education is Failing in her Irish Language Statutory Obligations – Aontu   

Aontú Representative for East Derry Gemma Brolly demands immediate response and action from the Minister of Education to the ‘unanswered’ open letter from “An Gréasán” expressing concerns for the lack of provision enabling the study of the Irish language. Following years of continuous neglect to honour the Good Friday Agreement by honouring the statutory obligation […]

Categories
Education Lurgan

O’Dowd Welcomes Progress on New School Build

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has welcomed the announcement of a £20.5 million new school build at New-Bridge Integrated College, Loughbrickland. The Upper Bann spokesperson and former Education Minister said: “The news that New-Bridge will be undergoing a significant refurbishment is exciting for the staff, pupils and families associated with the College. As a previous […]

Categories
Education Lurgan

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd Has Said the Costs of School Uniforms Need to be Cut and Capped.

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said the costs of school uniforms need to be cut and capped. The Upper Bann spokesperson and former Education Minister said: “Sinn Féin has brought forward a motion to the Assembly proposing action to cut and cap the cost of school uniforms. “I am calling on the Education Minister […]