Comittee for Education

Press Release

23 June 2010

EDU 09/09/10

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SEES IMPACT OF POOR ACCOMMODATION ON LEARNING

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education today (23 June 2010) visited a North Belfast school to see first hand school facilities described by the Inspectorate as ‘far short of acceptable’.

Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin - an Irish Medium school in North Belfast - received an Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in 2007 which stated that ‘Despite the teachers’ best efforts, the inadequate accommodation affects the quality of learning and teaching by impinging adversely on the morale of the teachers and children.’

A Committee spokesperson said: “The Board of Governors invited the Committee to visit today and see for ourselves the conditions in which teachers and pupils have to work and learn.

“The Committee is very concerned at the lack of progress in tackling the school’s accommodation problems. We understand the Department of Education is conducting a Review to determine how the very limited money available for building work should be prioritised. Whether Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin will get a new school will not be known until the results of that Review are announced.

“Despite these conditions the Committee was pleased to see the 2010 ETI Report note improvements in the quality of education provided since its 2007 report.

The Committee has also written to the Department of Education about the situation at Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin. The Department has responded saying that following a visit to the school Belfast Education and Library Board will be seeking the Department’s approval for minor capital works to address toilet and security issues.

The Committee recently received a budget update briefing from Department of Education officials which highlighted that between £270 and £290 million of repairs were needed on schools in Northern Ireland.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Members attending the visit where: Dominic Bradley MLA, Trevor Lunn MLA, and John O’Dowd MLA.

The Principal of Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin is Máire Bn Ui Eigeartaigh, Wyndham Drive, Cliftonville Road, Belfast, BT14 6HQ. (Tel: 02890 747 184)

Committee Membership:
Mr. Mervyn Storey (Chairperson)
Mr. David Hilditch (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr. Dominic Bradley
Mrs. Mary Bradley
Mr. Trevor Lunn
Mr. John McCallister
Mr. Basil McCrea
Miss. Michelle McIlveen
Mr. John O’Dowd
Ms. Michelle O’Neill
Mr. Alastair Ross

The Clerk to the Committee is John Simmons
Committee for Education, Rm 242, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont Belfast BT4 3XX
Tel: 028 9052 1787
Mob: 07900 053929
Fax: 028 9052 1371
Email: john.simmons@niassembly.gov.uk

Media enquiries to:
Jennifer Pleavin
Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 1606
Mobile : 07502 379339
Email: jennifer.pleavin@niassembly.gov.uk

Sinead Murphy
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 5938
Mobile : 07899 864368
Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk

Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) Report (January 2010)