Browsing Category

Education

40 posts
Read More

Defend LGBT+ & all youth services!

In a recent announcement, the Education Authority announced severe cuts in funding to youth support services across Northern Ireland. This is part of a broader programme of education cuts. This loss of funding will result in reduced frequency of the groups’ operation, with some becoming open only four days a week.
Read More

“Universities must not become the care homes of a Covid second wave”

Queen's University now joins Glasgow and Manchester in locking down halls of residence due to Covid-19 outbreaks. Within the first week of the university term, 30 students in Elms Village in south Belfast have tested positive for the virus. Fears of rising infection rates and the limitations of health and safety measures have been ignored by management in favour of forcing lecturers, support staff and students to participate in in-person classes without a uniform policy of sanitisation, mask-wearing and social distancing. 

Read More

Education: No return until it’s safe

The recent announcement by Peter Weir, the NI Education Minister, that all pupils are set to return to school in September full-time will bring mixed feelings for parents and teachers alike, who no doubt will have serious concerns over safety. In order to facilitate this, Weir also announced that previously planned social distancing guidelines would be relaxed.

Read More

Scrap the transfer tests!

The announcement that the primary-secondary school transfer tests will proceed in the autumn is a source of anxiety for parents and pupils alike. School closures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic have meant that the same level of preparation and teaching resources will not be available to those pupils scheduled to sit the tests. This is obviously a serious cause for concern, as the selection of secondary education is a major life event for young people. 

Read More

No tuition fee hikes! Fight for a fully funded, free education system

The raising of tuition fees would be a direct attack on access to higher education, especially for working-class students. It is part and parcel of a broader strategy of “marketisation” in education. Westminster is committed to de-regulating the higher education sector in favour of private companies, creating what it calls a 'level playing field' for profit-making companies. Stormont has not stood in the way and has facilitated this approach at every stage.