Menu
30/09/2015
Other News In Brief
Concerns Raised Over Provision Of Classroom Assistants
SDLP Cllr Tim Attwood has met with Mr Gavin Boyd, CEO of the Education Authority, and raised concerns of parents and principals in west Belfast about the provision of classroom assistants for children with special needs.
Cllr Attwood said: "Schools and parents want to ensure that their children with special needs get the appropriate level of support. It had been normal practice that when a second child in a class required a classroom assistant, the school was informed in writing that they could recruit an additional classroom assistant. It is now clear that the policy has changed and class-room assistants are being shared between two pupils.
"The Education Authority say there has been no change in policy but it does appear that children who would normally have received one to one support are been asked to share a class-room assistant with another child. This is causing distress for the child and the parents. I will be writing to the Education Authority detailing further examples and asking for this matter to be urgently reviewed."
£80,000 Improvement Project To Start In Ballykeel
An £80,000 improvement project is to start on the B2 Ballynahinch Road in Ballykeel.
The scheme is scheduled to begin on Monday 05 October and is expected to be complete in two weeks.
The works are designed to improve the alignment of the bend and provide enhanced signing.
Diversions will be put in place.
UUP Condemns Fish Kill Incident
Ulster Unionist MLA Adrian Cochrane-Watson has condemned a pollution incident and fish kill in the Three Mile Water River near Mossley Mill, in Newtownabbey.
He said: "This is only the latest in a whole series of pollution incidents in the South Antrim Area. Unfortunately history regularly repeats itself as rivers locally rarely ever go 12 months without a major pollution incident.
"In fact, there was a fish kill only last month in a major tributary. There is clearly a serious issue with regards to waterway pollution in South Antrim. Aside from the major ecological problems pollution incidents cause, local fishermen are at the end of their tether as their efforts at building up sustainable fish stocks are repeatedly destroyed. Every single time a river begins to recover it is knocked back by another pollution incident.
"The only way the authorities will be able to get to grips with the problem in the area is if they come in and enforce significant punishments with successful convictions and penalties."
(CD)
SDLP Cllr Tim Attwood has met with Mr Gavin Boyd, CEO of the Education Authority, and raised concerns of parents and principals in west Belfast about the provision of classroom assistants for children with special needs.
Cllr Attwood said: "Schools and parents want to ensure that their children with special needs get the appropriate level of support. It had been normal practice that when a second child in a class required a classroom assistant, the school was informed in writing that they could recruit an additional classroom assistant. It is now clear that the policy has changed and class-room assistants are being shared between two pupils.
"The Education Authority say there has been no change in policy but it does appear that children who would normally have received one to one support are been asked to share a class-room assistant with another child. This is causing distress for the child and the parents. I will be writing to the Education Authority detailing further examples and asking for this matter to be urgently reviewed."
£80,000 Improvement Project To Start In Ballykeel
An £80,000 improvement project is to start on the B2 Ballynahinch Road in Ballykeel.
The scheme is scheduled to begin on Monday 05 October and is expected to be complete in two weeks.
The works are designed to improve the alignment of the bend and provide enhanced signing.
Diversions will be put in place.
UUP Condemns Fish Kill Incident
Ulster Unionist MLA Adrian Cochrane-Watson has condemned a pollution incident and fish kill in the Three Mile Water River near Mossley Mill, in Newtownabbey.
He said: "This is only the latest in a whole series of pollution incidents in the South Antrim Area. Unfortunately history regularly repeats itself as rivers locally rarely ever go 12 months without a major pollution incident.
"In fact, there was a fish kill only last month in a major tributary. There is clearly a serious issue with regards to waterway pollution in South Antrim. Aside from the major ecological problems pollution incidents cause, local fishermen are at the end of their tether as their efforts at building up sustainable fish stocks are repeatedly destroyed. Every single time a river begins to recover it is knocked back by another pollution incident.
"The only way the authorities will be able to get to grips with the problem in the area is if they come in and enforce significant punishments with successful convictions and penalties."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
14 November 2024
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
Minister Reacts To Teachers' Union Ballot Threat
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the announcement by several teachers' unions that they plan to ballot their members for industrial action over 2024/25 pay. Earlier this year, the Minister provided funding to successfully resolve the long-running industrial dispute over teachers' pay for 2021-24.
20 November 2024
Parents And Guardians Urged To Share Childcare Experiences
Parents and guardians across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey to share their experiences of childcare. The survey, commissioned by the Department of Education, aims to gather valuable insights to inform future childcare policies.
Parents And Guardians Urged To Share Childcare Experiences
Parents and guardians across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey to share their experiences of childcare. The survey, commissioned by the Department of Education, aims to gather valuable insights to inform future childcare policies.
04 February 2020
Calls For Autism Training For NI Teachers
Education Minister Peter Weir is under pressure to introduce mandatory autism training for teachers and classroom assistants across Northern Ireland. Autism diagnosis has doubled in the past six years, with one in 30 children now confirmed as having the disorder.
Calls For Autism Training For NI Teachers
Education Minister Peter Weir is under pressure to introduce mandatory autism training for teachers and classroom assistants across Northern Ireland. Autism diagnosis has doubled in the past six years, with one in 30 children now confirmed as having the disorder.
11 October 2016
Investigation Launched Following Major Fish Kill In Co Down
An investigation has been launched following a major fish kill at Carrig River in Newcastle, Co Down. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is currently on site investigating the pollution incident after it was reported on Saturday, 08 October.
Investigation Launched Following Major Fish Kill In Co Down
An investigation has been launched following a major fish kill at Carrig River in Newcastle, Co Down. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is currently on site investigating the pollution incident after it was reported on Saturday, 08 October.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
