Armstrong says nomination of integrated education groups well deserved

Alliance Integrated Education spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said a joint nomination of the Integrated Education Fund and Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education for the Nobel Peace Prize is well-deserved recognition of both organisations. The nomination of the IEF and NICIE for the prestigious award was made by a number of MPs, TDs and […]

Armstrong says nomination of integrated education groups well deserved

Alliance Integrated Education spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has said a joint nomination of the Integrated Education Fund and Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education for the Nobel Peace Prize is well-deserved recognition of both organisations. The nomination of the IEF and NICIE for the prestigious award was made by a number of MPs, TDs and […]

Lyttle welcomes UN challenge to UK Government on childcare gap

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has welcomed a challenge by a UN committee for the UK Government to close the childcare gap in Northern Ireland. The UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) recently stated childcare costs here ‘remain excessive,’ which ‘constitutes an obstacle for women to enter and progress in […]

Lavery says it vital people contribute to school consultation

Alliance Lurgan representative Peter Lavery has said it is vital local people participate in an ongoing consultation into the future of the Lurgan campus of Craigavon Senior High School. Peter was speaking after meeting the Education Authority about the potential move, which would see the school’s pupils transferred to the Portadown campus from September 2020. […]

Farry welcomes additional post-primary places

North Down Alliance MLA Stephen Farry has welcomed the additional places allocated to a number of local post-primary schools in order to better manage the transfer process this year, but stressed again the importance of long-term reform. He said: “This is a sensible and pragmatic step to address immediate demographic pressures in certain areas across […]

Gray welcomes Central Primary School’s commitment to achieving integrated status

Alliance representative Lauren Gray has welcomed Central Primary School’s decision to move towards becoming an integrated school. The news was announced this week, after the principal and board took the step of balloting parents after they detected interest in integration among the school community. The parents voted to move to Integrated Status. Lauren said: “It’s […]

Alliance Seeking Assurances around Local Post-Primary Transfer

A local Alliance Party delegation this week met with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education, Derek Baker, and senior officials to discuss preparations for the post-primary transfer in North Down this year and a range of other education issues. The delegation comprised Stephen Farry MLA, Kellie Armstrong MLA, Chris Lyttle MLA, Cllr Karen […]

Lyttle says financial crisis in education at breaking point

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said the financial crisis facing our education system is at breaking point. Mr Lyttle was speaking after hosting the National Association of Head Teachers Northern Ireland’s Education Crisis Session at Parliament Buildings. He said every child was entitled to a high quality education. “One of my last acts […]

Lyttle encourages participation in childcare survey

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has encouraged people to participate in a major survey on the issue of childcare here. Employers for Childcare’s Childcare Cost Survey 2019 seeks the views on the provision of childcare in Northern Ireland, and the support available for parents and childcare providers. The results inform the organisation’s campaigning for better support […]

Lyttle says end of physical education programme a backwards step

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has said the end of a physical education programme is a backwards step for child health and well-being Mr Lyttle was speaking after it was announced today (Thursday) would be the final day of the Curriculum Sports Programme, which saw qualified coaches from the IFA and Ulster GAA deliver the statutory […]