Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to outline: (i) what assessment has been made of the suitability of the new 4:15pm start time for Education Authority Music Service ensemble hubs for rural working families, particularly those with children attending schools in geographically separate locations; and (ii) if a Rural Needs Impact Assessment and Equality Impact Assessment were carried out.
Minister of Education: The Education Authority (EA) advise the context for change in the Music Service’s approach to service provision is a regional service review and transformation process.
This review and transformation process has included a focus on delivering consistent service delivery models with equitable service provision for children, young people and schools in all parts of Northern Ireland. The arrangements seek to ensure that children and young people were able to avail of after school tuition as early as possible at the request of the young people themselves, their parents and EA Music staff.
Changes will also provide for a greater geographical spread of provision, accommodating pupils closer to their own schools and homes, with an aim of access within 30 minutes travel time.
As part of planning for this change, EA Music contacted 420 parents, receiving feedback from 21 individuals. The overwhelming response was very positive and any concerns raised have been addressed.
The EA considers that these changes will enhance the breadth and quality of access for many more children and young people across all localities.
The EA states the Music Service review was included in EA’s Equality Screening Framework, with all appropriate aspects being subject to Equality Screening and/or Rural Proofing exercises, including the changes to service provision outlined above, which involve a move to a greater number of locality Hubs for delivery of ensembles. The EA advises that the Equality and Rural screening process has confirmed that the innovative approach proposed through the service review will help to ensure that the service is rurally accessible.
ENDS
Your MLA 