Debrief

So it seems area-based planning is well under way with final submissions from the Education Boards and the CCMS due at the end of June; the Minister for Education is  asking for “realistic and creative solutions” in planning the future delivery of schooling.  At the moment the requirement is to “Anticipate future need by sector using robust and verifiable data.” and to ” Identify under or over provision by sector in the area …” – so it seems the Programme for Government’s promotion of shared education is not high on the agenda. However the Department’s Terms of Reference document does also suggest  cross-sectoral sharing should be considered, and the ELBs are required to engage with the integrated sector in looking at meeting future needs.  Certainly there will be submissions from the integrated education movement. (more…)

Bernie Drayne, a disabled rights campaigner, discusses the One School Of Thought Campaign

It is incredible that this campaign (One School Of Thought) ignores the issue of disability. Disabled children are the most socially excluded of all groups here in Northern Ireland and those who are involved in formulating policy, working or campaigning with regard to disability – some of whom are signatories to the One School of Thought campaign – are well aware of this fact, yet ‘disability’ does not feature at all in this campaign. Do those who write policy not read their own words? (more…)

Most areas offer summer activities for youngsters; a godsend to bored children and busy parents. They are frequently area-based regarding local councils, open to all children whatever their background, whilst some go a step further and declare themselves to be actively furthering community relations through sport, drama or whatever.  (more…)

By Baroness May Blood, as seen in the Belfast Telegraph, Monday 25th July 2011

The Troubles left many people in Northern Ireland with little to lose; and the peace process should have brought many gains. In most places it has done, but there is a hefty proportion of people who feel little material benefit from political progress and now, with the recession, they feel little hope for the future.

I can list some of the problems we now face: low academic achievement, especially among young Protestant males; discontent and in some cases anger and violence. It was so sad to see the eruption of rioting among young people who should be facing their adult years with hope and confidence. (more…)

Marie Cowan, Acting Chair, Integrated Education Fund

As Published in Belfast Telegraph, 01 July 2011

It’s always uplifting to see the Christian festivals celebrated in integrated  schools; pupils sharing worship, or – equally importantly – acknowledging what  is a special and meaningful occasion for their friends and celebrating that. (more…)