Other News In Brief

Schools Must End Academic Selection - Sinn Fein

A Sinn Fein MLA has hit out at the current academic selection process in Northern Ireland and is urging boards of governors at schools who still use transfer tests to end the process.

Karen Mullan believes the scheme has a hugely negative impact on children.

She explained: "School board of governors should show leadership and end the use of transfer tests in favour of building a fully inclusive and non-selective education system for the betterment of all our young people.

"Many schools continue to select and reject children based on an unregulated test system.

"That needs to end, the evidence is overwhelming that academic selection and rejection is damaging for children and damaging for the education system.

"The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, Equality Commission, Human Rights Commission, Children's Commissioner, OECD, the trade union movement and the Catholic Church hierarchy have all called for an end to academic selection and these calls should be heeded," the Foyle MLA concluded.

Missing Red Panda Returned To Belfast Zoo

A rare red panda that went missing from Belfast Zoo has been found safe and well in Newtownabbey.

Belfast City Council and the PSNI had been asking residents in the Glengormley area to keep an eye out for the animal which escaped on Sunday 27 January.

On their Facebook page, police said the animal was "believed to be currently taking in the sights of beautiful Glengormley".

Motorists travelling in the area were also urged to be vigilant in case the animal attempted to cross a busy road.

However, on Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: "We are pleased to report that the red panda which escaped from its enclosure at Belfast Zoo on Sunday has been located.

"It is safe and well and has been returned to the zoo."

NI Braced For Snow As UK Freezes

A blanket of snow is set to cover the UK this week in another cold spell.

The Met Office has advised of wintry showers on Tuesday 29, after a cold night with icy patches on untreated surfaces this evening.

Occasional snow and sleet is also anticipated as the week goes on.

Around 1cm to 3cm is expected to accumulate across the regions.

A yellow weather warning is in place for part of England from 9pm on Tuesday midday on Wednesday.



(JG/MH)