Other News In Brief

Concerns Raised Over Decision to Cut Money For Schools

Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has expressed concern at the Department of Education decision to cut money aimed at enabling schools to work in partnership to offer more subjects to pupils.

Mr Chris Lyttle said the Entitlement Framework was about enabling schools to be more efficient, with this move only serving as a retreat to the trenches.

He said: "The Entitlement Framework enables schools to collaborate to provide a greater range of subjects to pupils. This approach requires Ministerial and Education Authority support to help schools to work in partnership to deliver for all pupils.

"The Entitlement Framework is designed to deliver greater access to relevant subjects and efficiency within a limited budget and I am very concerned by the decision to reduce resources for this approach - another clear signal Northern Ireland is suffering without a functioning executive.

"This move will not only impact on schools across Northern Ireland, but could limit the ability of our young people to gain the skills needed for employment in a modern knowledge based economy."

Work To Start On £220,000 Road Improvement Project

Construction work is to start on a £220,000 road improvement project in Saintfield.

The work on the A21 Ballygowan Road is due to commence on Monday, 14 August.

The scheme will involve drainage works and the resurfacing of a 1.1km stretch of the A21 Ballygowan Road from the Ballycloughin Road in the Saintfield direction.

To facilitate the works, a temporary 40mph speed limit and a prohibition of overtaking from Monday 14 August until Saturday 16 September will be introduced. The work will also require the introduction of temporary traffic management measures in the form of temporary traffic signals (off-peak).

Road closures will be necessary to complete the works and diversions will be put in place.

'Camp Camilla' Opens At Lagan College

Green Party senior members Clare Bailey MLA and Cllr John Barry renewed their longstanding support for integrated education in attending the opening of Camp Camilla at Lagan College.

Clare Bailey MLA was one of the first pupils to attend Lagan College and has maintained a long association with the ground breaking school. Clare, MLA for South Belfast, was delighted to see Camp Camilla, an American type summer camp involving Lagan College students and pupils from across other local schools.

Clare Bailey MLA said: "I was delighted and honoured to attend the opening of ‘Camp Camilla’ at Lagan College with my party colleague Cllr John Barry. It was wonderful to see so many young and energetic people excitedly looking forward to the week ahead and new friendships to be made. This is the third year of Camp Camilla, a week long summer camp for 10-14 year olds, allowing them to experience integrated education.

"The Green Party fully supports the integrated education movement and we had really useful discussion with Camp Camilla organisers to explore ways of increasing public awareness of integrated education, as distinct from shared education."

(CD)