Education Minister addresses the NASUWT conference | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Education Minister addresses the NASUWT conference

Education Minister John O’Dowd has thanked teachers for their participation and challenge in developing the education system.

Minister O'Dowd

Minister O’Dowd

Speaking as he delivered the opening address at the NASUWT annual conference in Belfast, the Minister commended them for their contribution to education over the years.

He told them, “Since becoming Education Minister my clear priority has been to create an education system that can deliver for all our children and young people. A high quality education offers improved life chances and a more secure future.

“The importance of schools and teachers in guiding young people is vital. It is a role I fully appreciate and I want to thank you for your commitment. We must continue to work together to drive up standards and break the link between disadvantage and educational underachievement.”

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Speaking about the Investing in the Teaching Workforce Scheme, the Minister said, “The Investing in the Teaching Workforce Scheme came about at the request of the unions.

“The proposals for the Scheme would enable teachers aged 55+ to have the opportunity to leave the profession. This would simultaneously provide job opportunities to those who have the greatest difficulty in securing meaningful employment i.e. the most recently qualified teachers.”

The Minister challenged the union to provide a solution. “£33 million was secured to deliver this Scheme on the basis that the overall aim was to refresh the teaching workforce and provide up to an additional 500 job opportunities which would not otherwise exist.

“If you want this Scheme to be opened up to any teacher without a permanent post then you must understand the resulting impact. This will not refresh the workforce; will not provide job opportunities to those that need it most; and will not save public money.

“Therefore be under no illusion, if I am able to secure Executive agreement to that approach then I assure you this Scheme will not run again.”

Highlighting some of his programmes and policies that are impacting positively on educational outcomes, the Minister continued, “In the 2014/15 year, there was an overall increase in the number of year 12s attaining 5+ GCSEs including English and Maths and I am particularly impressed by the rate of improvement amongst free school meals pupils. My decision to target resources towards those serving the most disadvantaged is now producing positive results.

O’Down added, “However, we should not be complacent. Educational underachievement is a multi-faceted, societal issue that requires schools, parents and indeed wider communities to work together to effect positive change.”

Concluding the Minister paid tribute to NASUWT for their contribution to the education system and wider society.

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Posted by on Feb 29 2016. Filed under Community, Jobs & Careers. 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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