Other News In Brief

Man Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A man has been convicted for claiming benefits he was not entitled to at Lisburn Magistrates' Court.

Timothy Mormecha claimed Jobseeker's Allowance totalling £304 while failing to declare employment. He was given a two year conditional discharge.

He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Department for Communities.

New School Extension Opens In Magherafelt

A new two classroom extension has officially opened at a school in Magherafelt has officially opened.

A total of £530,000 was allocated to Kilronan Special School under the Minor Works Programme.

The extension to the existing school includes a quiet room, toilets, hygiene room, soft play area and resource space.

Education Minister Peter Weir said: "It is always a privilege to meet pupils and staff and see at first hand the excellent work that is being carried out. I know that the principal and her team work hard to make the school a happy and caring place for all their pupils."

Contract For CBA To End

A contract to provide Computer Based Assessment (CBA) to a number of primary schools in Northern Ireland will not continue.

Around 30% of primary schools currently use the NINA and NILA assessments which are funded by the Department and have been provided on a voluntary basis to schools for the last four years.

Education Minister, Peter Weir said: "I recognise the value that CBA has provided to many hundreds of schools over the past decade.

"The decision to end the contract was not taken lightly. It was based on the imminent contract end date, the number of schools actually using the assessment tool, the considerable financial constraints facing the education sector and the current political uncertainty.

"For these reasons, I could not justify extending the contract beyond the 2016/17 academic year, nor the substantial investment that would be required for a centrally developed CBA in the future."

(CD/MH)