Integrated education poll shows how some politicians out of step with public, says Armstrong

A major new poll which found almost three-quarters of people here would support their child’s school becoming integrated shows how some politicians are out of step with the public, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. The Alliance Integrated Education spokesperson was speaking as the Lucid Talk poll revealed more than 73 per cent of people […]

All parents should have opportunity to send child to integrated school, says Armstrong, as Bill reaches second stage

All parents in Northern Ireland should have the opportunity to send their child to an integrated school, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said.   Ms Armstrong was speaking ahead of the second stage of her integrated Education Bill in the Assembly tomorrow (Tuesday). The Bill aims to reform and meet the growing demand for integrated […]

Lyttle welcomes support for his teacher exclusion Bill from Executive Office

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has welcomed support from the Executive Office for his private member’s Bill tackling the exclusion of teachers from fair employment legislation. Mr Lyttle was speaking after raising the matter during question time in the Assembly today (Monday). His Bill, which recently closed following a public consultation, looks to remove […]

Outgoing Minister’s failure to act on transfer unacceptable, says Lyttle

The outgoing Education Minister’s failure to act on post-primary transfer is unacceptable, Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said. Over 23,000 children received news this past weekend regarding their post primary school placement, which followed a number of grammar schools announcing they would not be using transfer test for admissions after they were cancelled […]

Report exposes ministerial inaction on educational disadvantage, says Lyttle

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has said a new report into educational underachievement shows just how much the Education Minister has failed to tackle the issue. The Chair of the Assembly’s Education Committee was speaking as Peter Weir released ‘A Fair Start’. Among its recommendations, it states all children should go to pre-school for […]

Lyttle welcomes political support for PMB to remove discrimination in teaching appointments

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has welcomed political support for the repeal of the exception of teachers from the Fair Employment and Treatment Order. Mr Lyttle opened a consultation process on the issue last month and said it was “welcome news” to know other parties now support reform on this issue. He added: “The Alliance Party […]

Lyttle launches consultation to include teachers in fair employment legislation

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has launched a consultation into a proposed private member’s Bill to tackle the exclusion of teaching from fair employment legislation. The Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1998 allows discrimination on the grounds of religious belief in the recruitment of teachers. The East Belfast MLA said he believed there was increasing […]

South Belfast needs a new integrated post-primary school, says Bradshaw

South Belfast needs to see a new integrated post-primary school, Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has said. The South Belfast MLA was speaking as she brought an Assembly debate on post-primary education provision in the constituency. She said while the entire education system was complex, those complexities were exacerbated in South Belfast, with a failure to […]