Alliance release:

Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed the announcement of a £45 million School Enhancement Programme, but said that a root and branch review of education is necessary to address the wider issues.

Chris Lyttle, who is Alliance’s spokesperson on Education has just been appointed Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. He said: “The announcement of £45 million capital investment for the 18 schools in the School Enhancement Programme is a great start for the restored Assembly and Executive. Capital investment is urgently needed by many schools in Northern Ireland and whilst the School Enhancement Programme announcement is good news for the small number of recipient schools, radical investment and reform is needed if we are to deliver an integrated network of well resourced, fit for purpose schools. (more…)

Sinn Féin release:

Sinn Féin education spokesperson Karen Mullan has congratulated Peter Weir on his appointment as Education Minister and says she looks forward to working with him to progress a range of priority areas.

The Foyle MLA said:

“I want to congratulate Mr Weir on his appointment and wish him well in the time ahead. (more…)

Alliance release:

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said she is looking forward to tackling a range of issues in a new role supporting Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA.

The South Belfast MLA has been asked by her party leader to be her Assembly Private Secretary. The unpaid role will see her supporting the Minister on day-to-day matters, while being briefed on the main issues in the Department. Ms Bradshaw will remain as Alliance’s Health spokesperson. (more…)

Sinn Féin release:

Sinn Féin National Chairperson and Junior Minister in the northern Executive, Declan Kearney MLA, has welcomed the commitment to tackling sectarianism in ‘New Decade New Approach’ document.

The South Antrim MLA said:
“Sectarianism is a cancer in our society. It remains the main obstacle to creating and achieving a cohesive and united community in the north. (more…)

Alliance release:

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said there is an urgent need for the rationalisation of the education system here.

Mr Lyttle was speaking after the release of a report entitled Isolated Together, which states mergers between controlled and maintained primary schools would benefit pupils, as well as saving money. It focuses on 32 pairs of schools ‘often only yards apart,’ which they says cost an extra £2.3 million a year to maintain. (more…)

“I think it is appalling that the Civil Service has taken the decision to deny funding to SCoTENS – a cross border initiative that covers all aspects of teacher training. This is an organisation – the only such network that exists – that seeks to foster the wellbeing of teachers from all across this island by bringing them together on a cross border basis through conferences and research projects. It also allows student teachers from Dublin and Belfast to get much needed teacher training experience in cross border schools. (more…)