Education Minister announces details of £700,000 package

Education Minister, Martin McGuinness, has announced details of a £700,000 package from the Executive Programme Funds for the creation of a network of teachers to provide translation and support services to pupils from ethnic minorities.

The announcement was made at a conference on racial equality in education, hosted jointly by the Department of Education and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Mr McGuinness said: “Racism exists across all age groups and all sectors of our society. But a new society is emerging, and we have the opportunity to tackle racism within the context of a set of unique political and social changes. Our hosting of this conference with the Equality Commission is a public demonstration of my Department’s commitment to tackling racism. Our challenge is to change ill-informed and deep-seated ignorance, and I have no doubt that education has a key part to play in this. I am therefore delighted to confirm these resources from the Executive Programme Funds for the establishment of a network of teachers to support pupils from ethnic minorities.”

The Minister went on to say that he hoped the conference would have a wide impact across the sectors helping create a culture of ‘zero tolerance’ for any manifestation of racism within our schools and the youth service. (CD)