Lack of funding for physical education initiative an abdication of responsibility, says Lyttle

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA says the decision of Government Departments not to fund a physical education initiative is an abdication of responsibility. Mr Lyttle was speaking following notification from the Department of Education that no Department would provide funding to extend the Curriculum Sports Programme, which sees qualified coaches from the IFA and […]

We must take action and reform education before it’s too late, says Lyttle

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said only a Bengoa-style review of the education system here is urgently needed, after it was revealed the system was “coming close to a tipping point”. The claim was made by Comptroller and Auditor General Kieran Donnelly in a report into the financial health of schools. It found […]

Working parents let down by Government, says Lunn

Alliance Communities spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has said the Government has let down working parents by ending the Childcare Voucher Scheme. Mr Lunn said last week’s closure of the scheme to new applicants showed the Government did not listen to evidence showing working parents would be disadvantaged through its closure. “Many local parents use the […]

McDonough-Brown seeks Council meeting over Holyland concerns

Alliance South Belfast Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown has sought a meeting with the Council Chief Executive to raise residents’ concerns over students returning to the Holyland.With the start of the new university term approaching, locals have aired worries about on-street drinking and other anti-social behaviour issues. Councillor McDonough-Brown said the experiences of many residents were disgraceful […]

Armstrong to address issues within education system facing deaf pupils

The Alliance Party’s Kellie Armstrong has called for hard of hearing and deaf pupils and students to come forward and talk about their experiences of Northern Ireland’s education system. Kellie – who is hard of hearing herself – has secured a meeting with education officials aimed at discussing provisions for children who are hard of […]

Lyttle congratulates NI pupils on GCSE results

  Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has congratulated pupils across Northern Ireland on their GCSE results. Results again improved locally, with the number of pupils awarded A* – C grades rising to 81.1 percent. Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I want to congratulate all pupils for the hard work and effort they put in to […]

Lyttle says school crossing patrol removal idea proof of need for education review

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said news the Education Authority (EA) considered removing all school crossing patrols is proof the entire education system needs a Bengoa-style review. Mr Lyttle was speaking after the BBC revealed a letter from the EA in which it states it deliberated removing all lollipop men and women as […]

Lyttle congratulates A-Level pupils as they receive results

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has congratulated A-Level pupils across Northern Ireland on their hard work and endeavour as they receive their results. Around 30,000 students received their A-Level and AS-Level results today, with more boys than girls achieving the top A* grade for the first time. The percentage of entries achieving A* or […]

Armstrong: Parents should take advantage of Childcare Vouchers while they can

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong is encouraging all parents to sign up for Childcare Vouchers before the scheme closes to new entrants in the coming weeks. Kellie – herself a full time working mum – has said concerns around childcare costs are among the top issues raised by. Constituents and urges all working parents not to […]

Lyttle reiterates call for Bengoa-style review of education

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has reiterated his party’s call for a Bengoa-style root and branch review of the education system after a senior civil servant said it was under “considerable strain”. Department of Education Permanent Secretary Derek Baker was speaking after the Departmental accounts for 2017-18 were published. The Education Authority overspent its […]