First published: 20 January 2021. In a statement, the CCEA said it wanted to reassure students, parents and teachers that they are doing “everything we can” to ensure attainment is “fairly recognised”. Our priority will be to ensure that students receive fair and equitable results that reflect their hard work and enable judgements to be made about progression to study or employment or other avenues. Schools are already making provision for this through arrangements for online learning and the preparation of lesson packs, and a wide range of valuable and innovative mechanisms are being put in place. if(window.da2a)da2a.script_load(); Share this page. Written Statement: Update on General Qualifications in 2021. I am writing to provide more information about the implications of this announcement for the early years, schools, youth and wider education sectors. CCEA will therefore continue to work with other awarding organisations to develop a robust process for awarding grades. It is impossible to assess at this stage what the exact demand will be in relation to the number of key worker children who will need to attend school. We will be in contact as soon as possible regarding budget allocations. Education Minister's statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly - 21 May 2020. Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced a £100,000 poverty payment package for further and higher education students at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) to … The definition of key worker will be flexible and dependant on the circumstance and requirements over the course of this critical period. I am endeavouring to bring you as much clarity as possible, as quickly as possible. Statement update from the Education Minister. Arlene Foster will step down as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, she has announced in a statement. In line with my Ministerial colleagues in England and Wales, following advice from my officials and the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments (CCEA) and with full consideration of what is in the best interests of our young people, we will not proceed with GCSEs, AS and A levels this summer. The Department funds a number of 3rd sector organisations who work closely with schools to progress and support children’s learning. We will also work with the Further and Higher Education sectors to ensure the arrangements we put in place will allow them to operate admissions processes as efficiently as possible. Department of Education NI, Bangor, County Down. Read. Samuel Hall-Thompson: 21 March 1944 Brookeborough: UUP: 6. 20 March 2020. However, during this time we need to continue to facilitate those children who are vulnerable, or those young people up to the end of Year 10, whose parents are critical to the Covid-19 response who would otherwise have no option but to stay at home to ensure safe supervision of their children. I remind Members that I will not take any … I would ask that the organisations work closely with the Education Authority to ensure the needs of vulnerable young people continue to be addressed. Sure Start management will consider the individual circumstances in their area and determine the level of service which can be provided to Sure Start children and families. For staff involved in the Extended Schools programme, with schools being closed to pupils, many of these programmes are unlikely to take place in their current form. The Executive is committed to ensuring continuity of provision for children and young people who may be vulnerable or who currently avail of free school meals through our schools. WATCH LIVE: Education Minister Peter Weir makes statement to NI Assembly as GCSE's and A Levels are cancelled in NI This includes uniformed organisations, church-based organisations and others whose youth work is delivered by volunteers. As ever, the health and well-being of the young people in our care and all our staff is our priority. //-->, Work begins on new £12.6 million East Belfast Primary School, Weir visits interface areas to meet youth workers, Works starts on £11million scheme for Limavady Shared Education Campus, Appointment of independent chairperson for the NI Teachers' Pension Scheme board, Health and Social Care. It is important to note that even though schools will be closed to pupils, they will remain open for staff so that they can access resource materials and make arrangements for remote learning as appropriate, to facilitate provision for vulnerable children and those of key workers, and be available to carry out other duties that principals may require of them. Amongst other things, the First Minister and deputy First Minister announced that schools will close to pupils at the end of the school day on Friday 20 March. I am working with my colleague the Minister for Health, Robin Swann, to put in place arrangements so that they will have access to the services that are necessary for their well-being. Department of Health - Statement on the Covid19 Vaccination Programme. This was a hugely difficult decision, and it will have wide-reaching repercussions not only for learners and their families and for staff who work in the sector, but for our whole society. Date published: 06 January 2021 Department of Education - Further changes to COVID restrictions in Education settings from January 2021. Statement from the Education Minister to the Ad Hoc Committee - 6 January 2021. Other Members who wish to be called should rise in their place and continue to do so. Therefore I am working closely with my colleague the Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey, to put in place alternative arrangements as soon as possible. Read. The plan is to use a combination of prior achievements, internal teacher-assessed tracking information, predicted grades and analysis and modelling of existing data trends to provide the necessary assurance about the robustness, accuracy and fairness of the grades being awarded. All employees will receive normal pay across the range of circumstances that we are facing whether they remain in the workplace, are working from home or are unable to carry on working due to circumstances beyond their control. Education Minister, Peter Weir, has welcomed the signing of the Commencement Order in relation to the Addressing Bullyin... more. Federal Minister for Education and Vocational Training Shafqat Mahmood said that summer vacations will be less this year. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned. Read. 2. Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry: 7 June 1921 Craig: UUP: 2. I am working with my colleague the Minister for Health, Robin Swann, to put in place arrangements so that they will have access to the services that are necessary for their well-being. Robert Corkey: 6 May 1943 Brookeborough: UUP: 5.