05/09/2008

Other NI News In Brief

Ruane Meets Principals

NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has continued her 'outreach programme' by meeting with Principals in the Fermanagh area. Speaking to 11 Principals in the Killyhevlin Hotel last night, the Minister highlighted the ongoing work in the Department of Education. Minister Ruane said: "This is a time of exciting change in education across a wide range of policies. It is important for me to meet with as many people from the education sector as possible so that I can hear all points of view. I am committed to ensuring every child, including those in rural areas, is given the opportunity to reach their full potential. The Principals of these schools have the same end goal as I do, they want their pupils to excel, to succeed and to have every chance in life. I want to retain everything that is good about our current system, including academic excellence, and to improve performance of the system so it caters for the needs of all our young people," she said, noting: "I am very keen to hear from the leaders of education in Fermanagh on how they see the current picture. I look forward to an interesting and vigorous discussion."

Special School Buses Attacked

There has been a series of attacks at a school for handicapped children, Sandleford Special School in Coleraine. Pupils at the school have regularly been unable to attend classes because of damage caused to buses and property by vandals.

Speed Limit For Schools

The Roads Service has researched safety measures outside schools across Europe and concluded that the Scottish approach to part-time speed limits should be introduced in NI on a trial basis. As a result, part-time 20mph speed limits have been set up outside two primary schools in counties Antrim and Londonderry. The limits will operate when pupils are going to and from Hezlett PS, near Castlerock, and Kilmoyle PS, near Ballybogey. "Electronic signs advise motorists of the limit. The signs will only be activated during the specified periods," said the Roads Service. The speed limits are pilot projects and are due to end in June 2010.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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