THE FERMANAGH TRUST WELCOMES THE INCLUSION OF SHARED EDUCATION IN THE PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
In the wake of the Education Minister, John O’Dowd’s statement at the Shared Education Learning Forum Conference in September, that he would look “very favourably” at shared proposals from schools - including on a cross-sectoral basis and the First Minster’s statement earlier this week that “Shared Education is the way forward for Northern Ireland” The Fermanagh Trust has today welcomed the inclusion of Shared Education in the Programme for Government.
The Programme for Government provides for the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group, which will explore and bring forward recommendations on Shared Education; and as a priority area “To ensure that all children have the opportunity to participate in Shared Education Programmes and increase substantially the number of schools sharing facilities”.
For two years now Fermanagh has benefited from the only county-wide Shared Education Programme, which is managed and administered by The Fermanagh Trust and supported by The International Fund for Ireland and Atlantic Philanthropies. Each week, over 3200 pupils meet in shared, curriculum-based classes with pupils from another sector. All post-primary schools and the majority of primary schools participate and the educational, societal and community benefits have been widely recognised.
Over the last number of months The Fermanagh Trust has been meeting with local MLAs, members of the Education Committee and Executive Ministers to achieve governmental seal of approval for Shared Education through the Programme for Government. The Programme for Government sets out the strategic context for both the budget and the investment strategy and means that Shared Education is now a priority for the Department of Education.
For schools across Northern Ireland and particularly in rural areas, Shared Education on a cross-sectoral basis offers them the opportunity to explore options such as shared classes, shared teachers, shared administrators, shared Boards of Governors and Shared faith schools. It is understood that the main sectors are attracted to Shared Education at all levels and through the ongoing audit process they are exploring where shared solutions might work.
Speaking today, Lauri McCusker, Director of The Fermanagh Trust, welcomed the news saying:
“The Fermanagh Trust has been meeting a wide range of sectors, organisations and individuals over the last number of months in relation to the Programme for Government. We are delighted that Shared Education is now included as an Executive and Departmental priority.
Protecting our various ethoses and identities has been a hallmark of the Shared Education Programme - as has sustaining schools in local communities.
“In the past number of weeks we have written to all members of Boards of Governors in Fermanagh – at both primary and post primary levels - advising them of the
significant opportunities that now exist to protect and sustain educational provision in local communities, through sectors and schools exploring greater sharing and collaboration with their nearest neighbouring school from another sector.
For anyone interested in finding out further information on the Shared Education Programme please visit
www.fermanaghtrust.org
.
