Menu
05/09/2024
Alliance Questions £250,000 Spend On 'Lockable Pouches'
A decision by the Education Minister to spend £250k on 'magnetic lockable pouches' to prevent pupils from using their phones during school hours has been called into question by the Alliance Party.
Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy MLA, said: "Alliance welcomes new guidance on mobile phone usage in schools. It is a frequent concern raised by parents and teachers as phones have increasingly become a barrier to concentration among pupils over the years.
"Schools are a place to learn without the distraction of mobile phones in the classroom and I appreciate the Education Minister and his department for shining a light on the issue. However, I am greatly concerned to learn that the Minister has approved a £250k capital spend on a pilot project to provide ten schools with 'magnetic lockable pouches' to prevent pupil access to phones.
"We are currently facing incredibly constrained financial times. Since the restoration of the Assembly, we have heard multiple contributions from the Education Minister himself saying he cannot meet his statutory duties due to budget shortfall. Therefore, I find it difficult to believe this is the most appropriate use of the department's limited budget.
"The Department of Education should prioritise allocating its capital budget towards addressing more urgent issues, not least the huge pressures in school maintenance, much needed investment in technology and ICT, outdoor learning and sports provision.
"School leaders are in the best position to implement appropriate policies and regulations to oversee phone usage within their own schools. Many schools have already taken the initiative in the absence of departmental guidance to address this issue without unnecessary expenditure.
"At a cost of £25k per school, the cost to introduce this project across the entire school estate could run to over £25million. This careless expenditure by the Education Minister and his department is completely unacceptable, and the lack of awareness regarding investment in prominent school issues, such as school maintenance and frontline education, is highly concerning."
Alliance Education Spokesperson, Michelle Guy MLA, said: "Alliance welcomes new guidance on mobile phone usage in schools. It is a frequent concern raised by parents and teachers as phones have increasingly become a barrier to concentration among pupils over the years.
"Schools are a place to learn without the distraction of mobile phones in the classroom and I appreciate the Education Minister and his department for shining a light on the issue. However, I am greatly concerned to learn that the Minister has approved a £250k capital spend on a pilot project to provide ten schools with 'magnetic lockable pouches' to prevent pupil access to phones.
"The Department of Education should prioritise allocating its capital budget towards addressing more urgent issues, not least the huge pressures in school maintenance, much needed investment in technology and ICT, outdoor learning and sports provision.
"School leaders are in the best position to implement appropriate policies and regulations to oversee phone usage within their own schools. Many schools have already taken the initiative in the absence of departmental guidance to address this issue without unnecessary expenditure.
"At a cost of £25k per school, the cost to introduce this project across the entire school estate could run to over £25million. This careless expenditure by the Education Minister and his department is completely unacceptable, and the lack of awareness regarding investment in prominent school issues, such as school maintenance and frontline education, is highly concerning."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Missing Boys On 50th Anniversary
Police have made a fresh appeal to the public for information regarding the disappearance of two young boys in west Belfast on the 50th anniversary of the date they went missing.
Police Issue Fresh Appeal For Missing Boys On 50th Anniversary
Police have made a fresh appeal to the public for information regarding the disappearance of two young boys in west Belfast on the 50th anniversary of the date they went missing.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
18 September 2023
Primary School Cutting Hot Meals And Water 'Devastating' – Alliance
School children going without hot meals and hot water has been described as a "catastrophic tipping point" by Alliance MLA Nick Mathison.
Primary School Cutting Hot Meals And Water 'Devastating' – Alliance
School children going without hot meals and hot water has been described as a "catastrophic tipping point" by Alliance MLA Nick Mathison.
26 October 2016
First School To Be Completed On Strule Education Campus Unveiled
The first school to be completed on the Strule Education Campus has been unveiled in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Arvalee School and Resource Centre has been described as a "new era" for shared education in the area and officially opened in September 2016.
First School To Be Completed On Strule Education Campus Unveiled
The first school to be completed on the Strule Education Campus has been unveiled in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Arvalee School and Resource Centre has been described as a "new era" for shared education in the area and officially opened in September 2016.
-
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.
