EXECUTIVE IS FAILING FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH EDUCATION BILL SAYS GREEN MLA The Green Party in Northern has condemned the lack of ambition in the Education Bill as it went through its final stage of accelerated passage in the Assembly today. North Down Green MLA Steven Agnew said: “I am very disappointed in the lack of ambition the Executive has shown for the the future of education in Northern Ireland. “After seven years of political wrangling and numerous failed attempts, the Education Bill we are being asked to support today is the ‘something is better than nothing’ option. “The very fact that the Education Bill is being forced through the Assembly on accelerated passage is clear evidence of the breakdown at the Executive level. “Because of this failure to work together, they have simply jumped on an option where there was no dissent. “Lack of dissent rather than an ability to work together to provide the best option for future generations of Northern Ireland’s children is not success. “While I welcome the fact that this Bill takes a very small step towards integrated education as that sector will now have a seat at the table at the strategic level, the previous power structure and therefore the status quo of segregation, will remain in place for at least another generation. “Clearly moving forward to an integrated system, the very thing that many parents are calling for and leading the way on, is not at the heart of the program for government. “If this Education Bill is the best we can deliver for Northern Ireland, then it is a stinging indictment of the failure of systems and structures in our Executive. “And it is very sad that it is children who will again pay the price for the inability of our Executive to work together.” youtu.be/IGcKsGAy-i4
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 15:46:52 +0000