Bradley calls for flexibility in nursery intake numbers | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Bradley calls for flexibility in nursery intake numbers

SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley has taken the case of a dozen families in Middletown who were denied places for their children at their local nursery school to the Minister of Education.

Bradley says he has secured an adjournment debate on the lack of nursery places at St Joseph’s Primary School in Middletown, which this year received 38 applications for 26 places and, owing to legal restrictions, could exercise no discretion in the number of places available.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Bradley said: “The SDLP believes wholeheartedly that every child should have a guaranteed pre-school place and has been consistently fighting for that.

“These places really must be in the local area of the children who need them, however – parents in Middletown found themselves being offered places for their children anything up to ten miles away, which is unfeasible for many families.

He added, “It behoves the minister to examine, once again, the legislative framework within which pre-school places are allocated, and allow pre-school providers the same 10% discretionary flexibility that primary schools enjoy in expanding the number of places available.

“I look forward to hearing his response this evening.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=23999

Posted by on Oct 19 2012. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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