Ministers Praise Twinbrook Adult Learning Scheme

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Junior Minister Jennifer McCann visited St Luke's Primary in Twinbrook, Belfast, today to see how adults from the Colin area are achieving qualifications through an education programme at the school.

Under the Department of Education's Extended Schools Programme, St Luke's provides adults with the opportunity to return to learning. Qualifications offered include university Access courses and Essential skills in English, Maths and ICT.

The Ministers met two adults who had benefitted from the Access Course they had started in 2001. Martin McGuinness officially opened the Friends of St Luke Centre in 2001 during his term of office as Education Minister.

Martin McGuinness said: "Offering adults the opportunity to learn and develop their skills and increase their employment options is a positive development for the adults involved but also their family and wider community.

"St Luke's is the hub of the local community and is a fine example of a school offering extended services and working both for and with the community. Education extends beyond the class room and by opening the school doors to the wider Colin area learning opportunities are more accessible."

The Extended Schools Programme targets schools that serve areas of greatest social deprivation to provide "activities and services outside of the traditional school day which have a clear focus on tackling barriers to learning and improving the educational outcomes and life chances of disadvantaged children and young people."

(IT/JP)