06/10/2015
NI Schoolchildren Affected By Inequalities In Education
Northern Ireland schoolchildren are continuing to be affected by persistent inequalities in education, according to a report by the Equality Commission.
The study revealed the proportion of Catholics achieving the educational targets in GCSEs and A levels are persistently higher than Protestants and the gap widened between 2007 and 2012.
Pupils who are from minority ethnic backgrounds or who do not have satisfactory language skills have a smaller share of pupils enrolled in grammar schools compared to their share of the population.
However, while there was improvement for students with a disability or with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in relation to A Levels and GCSEs, they continue to have lower attainment levels and are less likely to go on to Higher Education than pupils without a disability or SEN.
Dr. Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said: "Identifying and highlighting these inequalities is only the first step. These educational fault-lines must be followed by action. There is a responsibility on those who shape and manage our education systems - those in Government Departments and the Assembly; on Education and School Boards; on the Churches; political leaders and those across the community - to focus on and overcome these enduring barriers which continue to disadvantage the most vulnerable sections of our community. The Equality Commission is eager to work with these groups to help ensure that our education system, which serves all our people, is robust and built on a stable and secure base."
Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA said: "It is paramount we do more to tackle the educational underachievement of pupils from all sections of our community. The report confirmed pupils entitled to free school meals from all backgrounds are seriously underachieving.
"The causes of Protestant boys from poorer backgrounds not performing as well at school must be looked at and challenged - from their poor representation by unionist politicians supporting selection tests to the role of paramilitaries in turning young males away from education."
(CD)
The study revealed the proportion of Catholics achieving the educational targets in GCSEs and A levels are persistently higher than Protestants and the gap widened between 2007 and 2012.
Pupils who are from minority ethnic backgrounds or who do not have satisfactory language skills have a smaller share of pupils enrolled in grammar schools compared to their share of the population.
However, while there was improvement for students with a disability or with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in relation to A Levels and GCSEs, they continue to have lower attainment levels and are less likely to go on to Higher Education than pupils without a disability or SEN.
Dr. Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said: "Identifying and highlighting these inequalities is only the first step. These educational fault-lines must be followed by action. There is a responsibility on those who shape and manage our education systems - those in Government Departments and the Assembly; on Education and School Boards; on the Churches; political leaders and those across the community - to focus on and overcome these enduring barriers which continue to disadvantage the most vulnerable sections of our community. The Equality Commission is eager to work with these groups to help ensure that our education system, which serves all our people, is robust and built on a stable and secure base."
Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA said: "It is paramount we do more to tackle the educational underachievement of pupils from all sections of our community. The report confirmed pupils entitled to free school meals from all backgrounds are seriously underachieving.
"The causes of Protestant boys from poorer backgrounds not performing as well at school must be looked at and challenged - from their poor representation by unionist politicians supporting selection tests to the role of paramilitaries in turning young males away from education."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2022
No School Places For 300 Children With Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has called on the Education Minister and the Education Authority (EA) to ensure children with special educational needs and their families have certainty over school places for September. MLA Pat Sheehan made the call after a report revealed that 300 children with special educational needs are without a school place for September.
No School Places For 300 Children With Special Educational Needs
Sinn Féin has called on the Education Minister and the Education Authority (EA) to ensure children with special educational needs and their families have certainty over school places for September. MLA Pat Sheehan made the call after a report revealed that 300 children with special educational needs are without a school place for September.
23 October 2013
Work Begins On Education Campus
Work on clearing a former Army base at Lisanelly in Omagh, County Tyrone has begun. The 126-acre site will eventually become a new shared education campus with a total of six schools with capacity for 3,700 pupils. Phase one will see the construction of a new school for Arvalee Special School and a resource centre.
Work Begins On Education Campus
Work on clearing a former Army base at Lisanelly in Omagh, County Tyrone has begun. The 126-acre site will eventually become a new shared education campus with a total of six schools with capacity for 3,700 pupils. Phase one will see the construction of a new school for Arvalee Special School and a resource centre.
01 September 2005
Children with special needs to benefit from new funding
Children with special educational needs are to have increased rights to be educated in mainstream schools, it was announced on Wednesday. A total of £57.8 million over three years has been set aside to implement the Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (SENDO), which came into operation on Wednesday.
Children with special needs to benefit from new funding
Children with special educational needs are to have increased rights to be educated in mainstream schools, it was announced on Wednesday. A total of £57.8 million over three years has been set aside to implement the Special Educational Needs and Disability Order (SENDO), which came into operation on Wednesday.
20 June 2025
New Framework To Boost Outcomes For SEND Learners
Education Minister Paul Givan has released a new framework designed to monitor the contribution of the Special Educational Needs/Disability (SEN/D) Reform Agenda towards improving outcomes for learners with Special Educational Needs or disabilities.
New Framework To Boost Outcomes For SEND Learners
Education Minister Paul Givan has released a new framework designed to monitor the contribution of the Special Educational Needs/Disability (SEN/D) Reform Agenda towards improving outcomes for learners with Special Educational Needs or disabilities.
17 June 2025
New Plans To Boost Learning Access For Young People With SEN
Young people with special educational needs (SEN) could soon benefit from much broader access to learning opportunities after leaving school, following new proposals announced by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
New Plans To Boost Learning Access For Young People With SEN
Young people with special educational needs (SEN) could soon benefit from much broader access to learning opportunities after leaving school, following new proposals announced by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.