Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing opportunities for pupils to learn Sign Language as part of the school curriculum. Minister of Education: My department recognises the benefits of learning Sign Language, including enhancing communication and literacy … Continue reading AQW 54767/22-27 – Learning sign language in schools
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any advice his Department sought from the Chief Medical Officer on the use of screen-based devices by children in schools. Minister of Education: Screen-based devices include desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, interactive whiteboards and other digital technologies that use a visual display … Continue reading AQW 53982/22-27 – Use of screen-based devices by children in schools
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessment his Department has made of whether current school funding arrangements adequately recognise the strategic importance of small rural schools where pupil numbers are low. Minister of Education: I refer the Member to my response to AQW 52394/22-27. All grant aided … Continue reading AQW 54896/22-27 – Funding arrangements for small rural schools
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of mental health support in schools. Minister of Education: The provision of mental health support, including for children and young people, is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Health. There are a … Continue reading AQW 54368/22-27 – Mental health support in schools
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education whether his Department plans to review statutory swimming and water safety requirements as part of the Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Minister of Education: Swimming is currently a statutory element of the Physical Education curriculum, with Key Stage 2 provision supporting basic … Continue reading AQW 53983/22-27 – Swimming and water safety
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps his Department is taking to work with schools and youth organisations, to improve educational programmes on the risks of knife crime. Minister of Education: My Department does not currently provide a specific educational programme focused solely on knife crime. Schools … Continue reading AQW 53741/22-27 – Educational programmes on the risks of knife crime
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he is taking to improve support for students with special educational needs and disabilities and their families when transitioning to (i) post-primary and; (ii) post-16 education. Minister of Education: (i) For transitions to post-primary education, the Education Authority (EA) works … Continue reading AQW 53280/22-27 – SEND students transitioning to post-primary and post-16 education
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education whether any recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of funding pressures on the ability of rural schools to maintain (i) staffing levels; (ii) curriculum provision; and (iii) support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Minister of Education: No specific … Continue reading AQW 52394/22-27 – Funding pressures on rural schools
