Parental pressures in education
This blog article will consider two main issues. First, it will examine the financial pressures facing parents in supporting their children through the school system.… Read More »Parental pressures in education
Education
Forest Schools: inside nature’s classroom
Northern Ireland faces a dual challenge of declining biodiversity and diminishing childhood engagement with nature. Forest Schools have emerged as a potential innovative solution, with… Read More »Forest Schools: inside nature’s classroom
Every child deserves a real chance in life: A renewed government focus on solving educational underachievement in Northern Ireland?
Young people have faced unprecedented changes to their childhoods and futures due to COVID-19. A significant part of this disruption has been to their education.… Read More »Every child deserves a real chance in life: A renewed government focus on solving educational underachievement in Northern Ireland?
COVID-19 and school shutdowns: Examining the after-effects
In an effort to minimise the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 (which causes the disease COVID-19), schools in Northern Ireland closed their doors to normal… Read More »COVID-19 and school shutdowns: Examining the after-effects
Free periods? Period poverty, its impact on education, and policy responses to the issue
Period poverty is a topical issue, globally and within the United Kingdom (UK). Recently, there has been some concern about the relationship between period poverty… Read More »Free periods? Period poverty, its impact on education, and policy responses to the issue
We don’t need no education!
The finances of Northern Ireland’s schools have been in the spotlight for some time. For example, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster is currently… Read More »We don’t need no education!
How is Northern Ireland performing in science, technology, engineering and maths?
This week sees people across Northern Ireland getting interested and involved in science through the Northern Ireland Science Festival. We thought we would join… Read More »How is Northern Ireland performing in science, technology, engineering and maths?
Are composite classes bad for children?
In 2016 the former Minister for Education, Peter Weir MLA, spoke of wanting to address composite classes, whereby a single teacher is responsible for two or more years of students at the same time. The former Minister suggested that it is more difficult for teachers to deliver high quality education in composite classes and that pupils need to be able to interact with peer groups. He stated that by the end of the planning period, he expected actions to address ‘the issue of primary pupils being taught in a composite class of more than two year groups’. This article looks at the evidence base on composite classes in Northern Ireland and around the world, considering how common they are, their educational outcomes and benefits and challenges.
The Northern Ireland Assembly and the School Curriculum
The Assembly Education Service engaged with more than 80,000 young people during the last mandate. The aim of this work is to inform young people about the work of the Assembly and encourage them to get involved, but how does this work fit into the Northern Ireland Curriculum?
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Economic impact of cuts to the Higher Education sector
Education and training are key factors in economic progress, acting as a means of raising productivity. Whilst other factors can result in short-run economic improvements, education and training are critical to embedding long-term growth. As such, the current reductions in funding for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) could potentially have a negative impact on future economic development in Northern Ireland (NI).
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