Caitríona Ruane: Time to Resign

Dominic Bradley MLA has asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of the backlog of maintenance work to be carried out on schools.

The response from the Minister contains a list of hundreds of schools owed large amounts of money - £217 million in total and many schools are owed several millions pounds each. This money is meant to be available to help improve nurseries, primary and secondary schools but the Minister isn’t providing the funding when it’s due.

It’s another gigantic blunder by the Minister. Here are some schools owed money:

Sydenham Primary     £1,603,325
St Anne’s PS     £1,954,862
Holy Trinity PS     £1,226,056
Belfast Girls’ Model     £3,586,395
Belmont House Special    £1,055,871

See the full list of schools here

Dominic Bradley MLA has said this means “many children are being taught in substandard classrooms. This shortfall is putting the health and safety of children at serious risk. There are serious questions to be answered like just how long have the Minister and her officials been aware of this? How long will the Minister allow this situation to continue? And what exactly are the implications for the pupils in our schools?”

More photos from Stormont Schools Debate 2008

—-

SDLP Youth and Young Unionists joined forces today to host a Schools Debate in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

The day was organised in conjunction with the NI Assembly’s Education Service.

Peter Armstrong, Chair of SDLP Youth said: “We were delighted to co-host the Schools Debate 2008. The event brought together young people from schools across the north to the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings for a cross-community debate on local and international politics.

“This was a very worth-while event as our aim was to bring more young people to the seat of local government.”

Alisdair O’Hara Organiser for the Young Unionists said: “I am extremely pleased with today’s event. It highlights that some political parties can still work together. In this instance we were able to bring sixth formers from various schools across Northern Ireland to debate some of the most relevant local and international issues.

“Engaging young people in politics is extremely important and being able to host this debate at Stormont was very significant”.

On Friday the Kids’ Life and Times Survey 2008 was released.

The results (pdf, 14mb) are discussed in the Belfast Telegraph which has a breakdown of what it all means:

Twenty-two percent of the children said they have been physically bullied at school, 39% have been bullied in other ways, 10% have experienced bullying by text message or on the internet and 51% think that children in their school get bullied.

More children said they had been bullied at school in the last two months by getting called names, getting left out of games, or having nasty stories spread about them on purpose than said they had been physically bullied at school — for example getting pushed around or threatened or having their belongings stolen.

The vast majority of children said their school had a set of rules on bullying (87%) and that they had talked about bullying in their class (88%).

As far as I’m aware, it’s the first time this survey has been carried out online, with 3,440 children at many schools across Northern Ireland completing the survey over the Internet. Previous surveys had to visit individual schools to run a survey so they couldn’t include that many young people.

In 2003 the Young Life and Times Survey (687 pupils surveyed and some were post-primary pupils) posed the question: “Do you think that pupils at your school get bullied?”. The 2003 survey indicated that 18% thought pupils got bullied ‘A lot’ but the 2008 survey shows only 5%. There’s still work to be done but such a change has to be positive.

On bullying, Mark Durkan has suggested what is needed is an “integrated, preventative and responsive strategy that brings together schools, communities and families to address the very serous and, sadly, growing problem of bullying“.

The survey also dares to ask what P7 pupils think of the 11+! Not surprisingly, 61% of those that got grade A wanted to keep the 11+, but 51% of those that got grade D wanted to get rid of it.

There’s no real consensus among children on whether it should stay or go. The results demonstrate that plans to replace the 11+ by the Education Minister Catríona Ruane are a mess, and it’s both parents and children who are confused about what is happening. Some children are scared they or their friends will fail the test; they don’t think it’s fair that 2 tests decide your future school, and some children wish to keep the transfer test because they aren’t aware of any proper proposed alternative.

SDLP Education Spokesperson Dominic Bradley MLA has congratulated students on their success at A-level and wished them success in their future endeavours and I also thank their teachers and parents for their hard work and support.

Mr Bradley stated:

“Once again students have produced excellent results in their A-level

And I congratulate every student on their individual achievements - each of them has made an important step in their life long learning journey.

It is very heartening that Northern Ireland A-Level students have again outperformed those in England and Wales, with 35.4% gaining an A grade compared to the 25.9% overall figure – an achievement which is contributed to by a variety of schools of different types.

“A-level results continue to improve and it is unfortunate that some have attempted to denigrate the work of students and teachers but I believe that we should salute teachers and pupils for their hard work and dedication which has meant that many ‘A’ Level students have reached their full potential.

“Results day is not an easy time for any student and some students may find that their results unfortunately do not match their expectations. It is important that they contact their careers’ teacher to explore the many possibilities still open to them nad that they do not make hasty decisions. I wish all students well in whatever direction they choose to take.”

West Belfast girl, Emma Rainey has had a very interesting and enjoyable three days of work shadowing both Matthew McDermott, SDLP councillor for Lisburn, and Alex Attwood, SDLP MLA for West Belfast.

Emma attends St. Louise’s Comprehensive College, and is in her lower sixth year studying ‘A’ Levels in History, Politics and Sociology.

Speaking about her work experience Emma said, “Ever since I started studying politics at the start of September, I gained a great interest in political issues and knew that I wanted a career in politics. My Sociology has also come useful too, as it has taught me a lot about family and social policy, which has inspired me to take a career path in policy making.”

“During my work experience with both Alex and Matthew, I saw the work that elected representative do to help their constituents. I sat in meetings with the Educational Library Board, Antrim Road Police and also sat in a committee meeting in Stormont with Alex, which showed me the other side of politics that it’s not all about legislation.”

Concluding Emma said, “The experience has most definitely encouraged and made me more determined to go into politics. Being with the SDLP, I’ve got to know what their all about, and they’ve certainly impressed me, so when I’m the next future MLA for West Belfast, I hope to be from the SDLP.”

Commenting on Emma’s time in the West Belfast Constituency Office SDLP MLA Alex Attwood said, “Emma experienced first hand how politics works at Stormont and in the constituency. She is a very committed and bright girl and I look forward to seeing her career progress, as I’m sure it will be a very successful one.”

A student from Dominican College, Fortwilliam has been rubbing shoulders with politicians at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, during her work experience with the SDLP.

North Belfast girl Catherine Donnelly is studying History, English Literature, Drama and Politics. She is considering pursuing politics as a career, and the SDLP were more than happy to accommodate her so that she could learn more about the field.

Speaking of her experience, Catherine said “My week at Stormont was hectic, but ultimately really inspiring and enjoyable. It was extremely strange walking past and in some cases meeting some of the key political figures that are so often on the TV and in the newspapers, including SDLP leader Mark Durkan, MP MLA.

“The week also introduce me to some of the many different branches of politics which I never even knew existed before. From the first morning, I was well look after. I was in the Assembly Chamber to watch MLAs debating the taxi bill. I was also lucky to accompany Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie to a ministerial meeting, whom I found extremely helpful and interesting to talk to.

“Tuesday saw me in the press office; where I was shown how they deal with public relations and press, and they even risked letting me write a press release! In the same day I was given the exciting opportunity to visit the press rooms, including the BBC Stormont Live studio and various radio, conference and journalist rooms.

“During the week I also seen at firsthand the historic making of a Bill of Rights in the Wellington Park Hotel, which Alban Maginness MLA is involved in. I was introduced to a number of international experts, including the chair, Australian Human Rights lawyer and activist Chris Sidoti. It was intriguing to listen to the different opinions of the representatives of many different sectors of Northern Irish society. With constant references to law and European Union guidelines, it was a small introduction into the wider world of politics outside Northern Ireland.”

Catherine concluded, “It was a week well spent and very rewarding. Without a doubt it was an informative experience and I would like to thank everyone at the SDLP offices who went out of their way to make me feel welcome and were constantly eager to explain all aspects of their jobs.”

Catherine certainly left an impression on the SDLP as North Belfast Assembly Member Alban Maginness commented, “Catherine represented her school with excellence. She is undoubtedly a very intelligent young woman with a real interest in law and politics. I hope her time with the SDLP has helped to inspire her and I look forward to the day I see her in Stormont as a young professional.”

Two local girls of Down High School, Downpatrick have spent a very interesting week on work experience with Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie.

The lower sixth form students Victoria Smyth and Amy Jackson spent a week brushing shoulders with high profiled politicians in the corridors of Parliament Buildings in Stormont.

The two girls are both studying politics at Down High School, and were thrilled to have the opportunity to see politics working, in the Assembly.

Speaking after her work based learning Victoria Smyth said, “Work Experience at Stormont was a fascinating and challenging experience. From the very beginning of the day there was copious amounts of work and activities to keep us busy - from running down to collect the list of scheduled Assembly amendments, to playing a “Who’s Who?” game of MLAs, there was never a dull moment!

“At the very beginning of the day, the DUP‘s Sammy Wilson MLA caused something of a drama in the SDLP Office when he failed to propose his motion on Youth Funding. The SDLP’s Dolores Kelly then had to be quickly located in order to propose her own motion, which had jumped forward from its scheduled time due to Mr. Wilson’s absence.”

Amy Jackson added, “We spent a lot of time with the SDLP Press Office learning about the various mechanisms of public relation and we even got to sit in the “Green Room” of Stormont Live. As we walked around the building, many familiar faces appeared. MLAs, Councillors, Ministers and MPs from every party were hurrying past us on every turn. We met some very impressive and prominent figures, including SDLP leader Mark Durkan MLA MP, and Dr Alasdair McDonnell MLA MP.”

Both girls really enjoyed their experience and concluded: “The whole Stormont experience was wholly interesting and fulfilling, and time there was well spent! We would like to extend thanks to everyone at the SDLP Offices and in particular to Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA.”

An SDLP Spokeswoman said, “Victoria and Amy are a credit to their school Down High School in Downpatrick and to their families. They were very interested in everything that was going on and were very eager to carry out all their duties to the highest possible standards. I have no doubt we will see these two girls back in Stormont someday, maybe even as MLAs or as political journalists.”

SDLP Youth have told students receiving their GCSE results today not to panic. The youth group’s message to young people is ‘to stay on in education and take advantage of the government’s Education Maintenance Allowance’.

Belfast SDLP Youth member Peter Armstrong said: “Results aren’t the be-all and end-all. There are many options open to young people and we would encourage GCSE students to consider their grades and plan the best pathway - whether that be further education, entrepreneurship, learning a trade or going into full-time work.

“SDLP Youth are encouraging students to stay on in education and to take advantage of the government’s Education Maintenance Allowance which provides fortnightly payments to students aged 16 to 19 living in a household with an income under £30,810.

“Not everyone will get the results they wanted but our message is not to panic - there are many options opened to all young people and students should seek careers advice on what to do next. Organisations such as the One Life Exams Helpline can provides confidential and impartial advice free of charge by phoning 0808 100 8000.”

SDLP youth are today meeting with children’s commissioner Patricia Lewsley. Leading the delegation will be Matthew Mc Dermott set to become the youngest councillor in Ireland at a meeting of Lisburn City Council tomorrow night. Speaking before the meeting Mr Mc Dermott stated:

“We are looking forward to meeting with the commissioner. There are a number of serious issues such as self harm, homelessness and mental health issues we intend to raise with Ms Lewsley. We believe as young people we have a duty to work with and put pressure on this office to ensure that together we are working toward the best future for all the young people in the North of Ireland. Following this meeting we hope to meet with Minister for Children Angela Smith.”

SDLP Youth today congratulated Patricia Lewsley MLA on her appointment as Children’s Commissioner.

SDLP Youth University & Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong said: “It is excellent news to hear that the position of Children’s Commission has been filled by such an excellent candidate.

”Patricia has played a huge part most recently as SDLP Equality spokesperson, but also as a councillor and an MLA. She has worked tirelessly for her community on local issues and for equality issues throughout the North. She was former Chair of the All Party Working Group for Children. She has campaigned on gender equality, special needs, children’s rights, childcare and domestic violence.

”SDLP Youth wish Patricia every success in her new job. We are confident that Patricia will do a brilliant job at representing the needs and rights of young people, and promoting youth issues.”

”SDLP Youth have organised a meeting with the Children’s Commissioner on 22nd January 2007, and we are delighted that we shall be meeting with Patricia.”

—-
Irish News TV - Patricia Lewsley