Education receives £1.5m boost in north Belfast

The NI Executive has unveiled a £1.5 million package of financial assistance designed to improve schools and the youth services in north Belfast.

The Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the financial aid. He said the money would help many schools across North Belfast which have been badly affected by the protest surrounding Holy Cross Primary School and the ongoing disturbances in the area.

This announcement is in addition to the previous assistance of £154,000 provided by the Department of Education to Holy Cross and Wheatfield Primaries during the protest.

Mr McGuinness said: “As part of the Executive’s initiative to tackle these difficulties, my Department proposed a package of education measures designed to meet the needs of those who have suffered most from the unrest, namely, pupils, teachers and schools.

“I am pleased that the Executive has made £1.5 million available to provide immediate support to schools and contribute towards the rebuilding of community relationships in the area through enhanced youth service provision.”

In all 13 primary schools will receive £20,000 this school year and £10,000 next year to spend on additional support for their pupils and staff according to their particular needs and circumstances. The extra resources for the youth service will support the provision of a youth tutor in each secondary school and three detached youth workers, who will work with the three youth workers recently funded under the Executive Programme Funds, to build relationships between the schools and communities in the area.

Mr McGuinness said staff in all schools and in the youth service had “remained steadfast” in working to maintain a safe and secure environment for young people and in continuing to provide them with a good education. He said: “We owe them a great debt and this package will help to support and enhance their important work.

“We look ahead to the New Year with confidence and hope. There are no quick fixes to any of these problems but with the continued support and agreement of community leaders and politicians this education package, together with the Community Action Project announced earlier by the Executive, can help build a better future for both communities in North Belfast.” (AMcE)