Other News In Brief

SDLP Calls For Development Of Language Learning Strategy

Northern Ireland needs a strategy to enable more young people to learn languages at school, SDLP Education Spokesperson Daniel McCrossan has said.

Mr McCrossan said there was clear evidence language subjects were on the decline in post-primary schools across the North, with less students choosing to study languages at GCSE, AS and A Level.

The West Tyrone MLA is proposing the North learn from the language model in Scotland that sees students begin to learn languages when they start primary school.

Mr McCrossan has also written to the Education Minister to raise his concerns around the removal of oral language exams from GCSE to A2 level.

He said: "We need a plan to reverse the trend that is seeing fewer and fewer children opting to learn languages at school. The benefits of learning a new language are clear, research shows there are cognitive benefits from learning additional languages at a young age and there is also evidence that speaking two languages from a young age leads to higher educational achievement. Language skills are also key to developing our economy. If we want expert international companies to invest here we need to be able to provide them with a skilled workforce and there is a real danger the North is being left behind in this regard.

"I believe we should be looking at adopting the Scottish model which sees children beginning to learn other languages when they begin primary school. The younger they begin to develop these skills the easier it will be for them to progress and become fluent in their chosen language. The North is currently the only part of the UK with no strategy or resources dedicated to promote languages in primary schools and this needs to change.

"My office has been inundated with concerns from teachers and academics after the Education Minister accepted CCEA's recommendation to drop oral examinations from the language syllabus. I have pressed this point with the Minister and they have promised to look again at this issue. It's hard to fathom the logic around having children learning a language in written form but not developing their skills to actually speak it.

"I am urging Education Minister Michelle McIlveen to work with CCEA to find a solution to these problems before it's too late. The current system is not fit for purpose and doesn't serve anyone well. With our world always getting smaller language skills are more important than ever and it's crucial that languages form a key part of our school curriculum."

New Community Hub For Ballyvea Football Club

A new modern community hub has been completed at Ballyvea Football Club in Kilkeel, Co.Down following a grant of £270,000 from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) Rural Development Programme (RDP).

The official opening of the new community hub took place on Friday 23 July 2021, with Minister Poots visiting this week to see the facility and all it has to offer the local community. The hub will allow for the delivery of social and economic development activities aimed at addressing underachievement and social isolation, and marginalisation amongst young people and the elderly.

Welcoming the funding award and completion of the new building, Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots said: "I am delighted that Ballyvea Football Club were awarded £270,000 under the current Rural Development Programme to build a facility that will provide services and activities for the local rural community in Kilkeel.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the volunteers connected to the club, and all members of the Local Action Group, for the time they have given up to make great projects like this come alive, and I wish Ballyvea every success both on and off the field."

Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said: "As Chair of the Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership, I am delighted to see the completion of this impressive facility which has availed of Rural Development funding, provided by DAERA and the European Union. The volunteers involved in the Local Action Group continue to work tirelessly to ensure local decisions made by local representatives, bring high quality projects such as this to fruition."

Appeal Issued For 76-Year-Old Valia Amir

Police North Belfast have issued an appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of 76-year-old Valia Amir.

Mr Amir has not been seen for seven days, with the last confirmed sighting on Friday 30 July at approximately 5pn in the Queen's University area of Belfast.

It is understood that police have no description of Mr Amir or information of what he was wearing when last seen.

Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen Mr Amir or have any information on his whereabouts to contact them.