OFMDFM Announces 230 Teaching Posts

230 new graduate teaching posts have been announced by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM).

The posts, which will last two years, have been announced as a measure to help Northern Ireland pupils improve literacy and numeracy in Northern Ireland.

The announcement includes further news of a £26m investment which will see the hiring of more health workers in Northern Ireland as well as the establishment of new social enterprise hubs created to generate jobs in areas of deprivation.

Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard welcomed the announcement.

He said: "One of the biggest criticisms of the past few years coming from newly qualified teachers is that they cannot access a placement in a school that will allow them experience to compete for jobs within the profession.

"This scheme is excellent in that it will employ 230 teachers to deliver one to one tuition in order to raise standards in English and Maths."

He added: "It will also allow schools who are struggling under budgets constraints to have access to a teacher to provide extra tuition to those pupils who need a helping hand to fulfil their potential.

"It is important that we higher standards right across the board and allow newly qualified teachers to gain employment and this announcement today will help achieve both objectives."

(IT/GK)