SCHOOL EDITION 29 MAY 2024 - Flipbook - Page 7
NEWS
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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22 2020
www.irishnews.com
7
unless followed up by action
Minister: Important
to find solutions
T
ACKLING
underachievement in schools is a
key
priority,
education minster Peter Weir has
said.
Mr Weir acknowledged that
there had been several reports
looking at the issue over the last
decade.
Asked why there was a need for
another, he told The Irish News it
was important to find solutions.
Terms of reference he said had
yet to be agreed.
“It is how we actually use the
knowledge that is out there to the
best effect,” Mr Weir said.
“There are a lot of good things
happening in different schools
and some of it is about pooling
that information, sharing that
information.
“Sometimes some of the best advice we can get in life is ‘don’t do
X because we tried X and it didn’t
work – maybe do Y’.
“It is unlikely that something will
jump out that people have not
heard before.
“It may well be, therefore, that
the focus will be on taking the
best practice from the things that
should be done, and implement
and support those.”
Mr Weir said there had been developments in education since the
issue was first examined, including school ‘nurture groups’.
These are improving social, emotional and behavioural outcomes
among children from some of the
most deprived areas.
“There are a lot
of good things
happening
in different
schools
and some of it is
about pooling that
information, sharing
that information”
It’s like
déjà vu
all over
again
THERE are many idiomatic
expressions that originate from the
great sport of baseball.
There is probably a separate article
to be written about the several
phrases that have become everyday
Education MInister Peter Weir expressions without people
realising.
Not an idiom per se, but the late
Hall of Famer Yogi Berra’s “it’s
“To take one example, even a few like déjà vu all over again” popped
years ago we did not have nurture into my head when noting the
units and they have proved to be executive’s promise to tackle
very successful,” he said.
underachievement.
“Even if there have been a lot of It plans to do this by setting up yet
reports in the past, it would be a another “expert” panel, even though
little bit conceited if we did not we have been here before, on many
think there was not anything new occasions.
that could emerge.”
We already know that Protestant
ANALYSIS
Simon
Doyle
boys, especially those from less
well-off families, are less likely to
achieve top results.
This fact has been well trailed for
years and there have been at least
seven separate reports.
And we have a good idea of what
is needed to be done to buck this
trend.
It has been speculated that it
could be that the DUP minister, a
supporter of academic selection,
wants a review that does not link
disadvantage to the 11-plus.
A few earlier reviews said there
was a link, but Peter Weir is on the
record saying he believes
otherwise.
With there being so many issues
demanding urgent attention in
education, it seems odd that this has
been elevated above others.
No-one is arguing that it should not
be a priority.
But rather than undertaking another
costly, time-consuming review, the
minister could easily act on the
abundance of already-published
information and recommendations.