#AskDE Twitter Q&A 26 June 2014 - Transcript of questions and answers

Education Minister John O'Dowd took over the @niexecutive twitter for a live Q&A on Thursday 26 June 2014.

Minister O'Dowd answered 22 questions over the hour. The full transcript of the Q&A is available below.

@niexecutive

Education Minister John O'Dowd up next to answer your questions over the following 60 minutes. Follow #AskDE to keep track

Question 1 from @SarahC201
When is the new education campus in Omagh been built and why knock down the houses over there they could be used #askDE

Answer
@SarahC201 Construction begins January 2015 for 5 years. Existing housing needs to be demolished to make way for new schools #AskDE

Question 2 from @BionicIguana
@niexecutive #AskDE Why do we continue to allow religious indoctrination in publicly funded schools?

Answer
@Bioniclguana Schools deliver core RE topics and add to them as per ethos. Parents can withdraw children from RE class if they wish #AskDE

Question 3 from @MartyGlynn

Will the minister be releasing a statement with regards to the Bus Campaign. @niexecutive #busanois #AskDE#ÓBhéalAnChapaill

Answer
@MartyGlynn I am actively investigating how to resolve this matter #AskDE

Question 4 from @ColaisteFeirste

A Aire, an mbeidh réiteach ar Fheachtas Bus an Tuaiscirt roimh thús na scoilbhliana i Meán Fómhair? #AskDE #BusAnois

Answer
@ColaisteFeirste Tá mé ag iarraidh teacht ar réiteach chomh luath agus is feidir #AskDE

[NB Q4 is Irish version of Q3, both questions regarding bus service to Coláiste Feirste]

Question 5 from @conormccaffrey8
How do you justify destroying hard working teachers pension plans/life by changing the game 3 days before due to retire #AskDE

Answer
@conormccaffrey8 This is not a pensions issue but a redundancy issue. No final decisions yet made #AskDE

Question 6 from @Drumahoe31
Why when the Management Committee of a Vol. Playgroup requests to transform to Statutory status, do you refuse their request?#AskDE

Answer
@Drumahoe31 I consider each case on its own merits. Full rationale for decision here ow.ly/ysY1N #AskDE

Question 7 from @Drumahoe31
Why was Millennium IPS able to transform Playgroup places (27/514) to statutory provision which we are told is against DE policy? #AskDE

Answer
@Drumahoe31 Full rationale of Millennium IPS decision here ow.ly/ytdd3

Question 8 from @jrainey36
Have you any plans to put coding in the KS2 and/or KS3 curriculum? If so, when? #askDE

Answer
@jrainey36 The curriculum is flexible and schools can teach coding if they so wish#AskDE

Question 9 from @treacy_maria
#AskDE Will DE investigate prevalence of children with brain injury & explore how other DE globally support Educators training&SEN delivery

Answer
@treacy_maria No plans to investigate prevalence but appropriate support is provided for pupils with brain injury #askDE

Answer
@treacy_maria SEN teachers get specialised training to support & cater for pupils with range of complex needs #AskDE

Question 10 from @FermanaghTrust
@niexecutive when will you make announcement on which shared campus applicants have been successful? #AskDE

Answer
@FermanaghTrust I am currently finalising arrangements to announce successful bids#AskDE

Question 11 from @RicePUP
@niexecutive why continue with the closure of Newtownbreda High School when it doesn't make any sense whatsoever to do so?#AskDE

Answer
@RicePUP This is a new beginning which will ensure that current & future pupils have access to high quality education #AskDE

Question 12 from @seatzie
@niexecutive #AskDE do you not think splitting kids education based on religion is bit 19th C? how does society progress if segregated at 5?

Answer
@seatzie Parents have right to give preference for type of education they want for their children; a range of sectors are available#AskDE

Question 13 from @JFulton
What role do you see integrated education having in an inclusive and shared future?#askde

Answer
@1JFulton Integrated education will play a positive role in a shared future #AskDE

Question 14 from @maddyb50
Will the recent judicial review ruling lead to revision of Area Based Planning policy so as to meet demand for integrated education?#AskDE

Answer
@maddyb50 I plan to review internal guidance to ensure it is consistent with the judgment #AskDE

Question 15 from @SaveCGS
#AskDE Have you any response to the 7000+ people who signed a petition against the closure of the Collegiate Grammar School?

Answer
@SaveCGS Consultation on Collegiate/Portora proposal open until 14 July. Final decision after all info, including petition, collated #AskDE

Question 16 from @SPADE_ekn
@niexecutive when will Devenish College get their long awaited new build? It's been a decade and not a brick has been laid #AskDE

Answer
@SPADE_ekn New build for Devenish announced Jan 2013 to proceed in planning. Project planning ongoing #AskDE

Question 17 from @SPADE_ekn
And is it fair that we are being told that the new build can only come about if there is an amalgamation between Portora & Collegiate#AskDE

Answer
@SPADE_ekn Two build schemes not connected; Devenish will proceed whether Portora/Collegiate merger proceeds or not#AskDE

Question 18 from @allisonbreadon
#AskDE will Newtownbreda high school stay on the same ground. Or will it be moved?

Answer

@allisonbreadon Options are being examined for site for new amalgamated school #AskDE

Question 19 from @j_cask
@niexecutive Has anyone taken any responsibility for the failure of ESA? Or will this waste be continued to be swept under the carpet #AskDE

Answer
@j_cask I am preparing a paper for @niexecutive on the way forward #AskDE

Question 20 from @EybenKarin
#AskDE what is the Department's policy with regards schools that have closed and transferring asset for community use?

Answer
@EybenKarin DE is piloting projects to examine ways of transferring assets to the community #AskDE

Question 21 from @J_Cotts
@niexecutive #AskDE Why did you never meet with Newtownbreda High School, staff, pupils & concerned parents in the early stages?

Answer
@J_Cotts Yesterday the judge dismissed the case against amalgamation #AskDE

Question 22 from @VGreens
What does minister plan to do to address underachievement amongst working class, male, and protestant demographics? #askDE

Answer
@LVGreens @niexecutive’s signature literacy & numeracy scheme plus changes to school funding both targeted at disadvantaged children #AskDE

@niexecutive
That's it from me. I wish everyone a happy, safe and enjoyable summer #AskDE

Schools counselling has huge impact on young people’s mental health – O’Dowd

Counselling in school can have a significant positive impact on young people’s mental wellbeing.

That was the message from Education Minister, John O’Dowd, as he launched a report by Children’s Law Centre advisory group youth@clc into young people’s views on counselling in schools.

Speaking during a launch event in Parliament Buildings, the Minister said: “Professional counselling can be a massive support to a young person in distress. I have received many comments to this effect from pupils and staff during school visits and I know there is research available to back up this view too. This new report from youth@clc provides further evidence from those who are directly affected by school counselling – the young people themselves – and I welcome the opportunity to launch it.

“We as educationalists all face the challenge of encouraging young people to firstly recognise when they have a problem and, secondly, to seek help. There can be a stigma attached to seeking such help but I hope that the work of youth@clc, including this report, is helping to reduce any such concerns among young people. The key message to young people is that there is no shame in asking for help and that no one has to face their problems alone.

“I was struck, too, by the live performance of ‘Opening Doors’ that I attended recently at the MAC. This profound and affecting play staged by youth@clc is, I hope, helping change the attitudes of young people towards mental health.

“Over 900 counselling sessions are already provided every week by the Independent Counselling Service for Schools (ICSS). Although from one point of view this is indicative of a worrying level of distress among pupils here, I am encouraged at the uptake of the help that is available, which serves to further underline the importance of what the ICSS does.”

The Minister continued: “The youth@clc report makes six key recommendations and I plan to give them all consideration when shaping the future delivery of counselling in schools here. I commend everyone at youth@clc for the hard work and expertise they have put into compiling the report and thank them for this opportunity to launch the report’s findings.”

More information...

1. The Children’s Law Centre (CLC) works to promote the rights of children. It is the only local children’s legal charity. CLC provides free legal information, advice and representation including a free phone legal advice line for children, CHALKY. CLC also offers training and research on children’s rights, and makes submissions on law, policy and practice affecting children and young people. youth@clc is CLC’s youth advisory group.

2. Between June and November 2012, youth@clc carried out a survey of the views of Year 11 pupils on the counselling service offered by their school. The survey was conducted in 13 schools (955 pupils), across the Belfast Education and Library Board and South Eastern Education and Library Board areas. The survey was funded by the Big Lottery – Awards for All project.

3. The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign encourages families to play, talk, read and count with their child and to ‘Get Involved Because Education Works’.The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visithttp://www.nidirect.gov.uk/education-worksfor more information.

Watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel:http://www.youtube.com/thedeptofeducation

4. See photos from the Department of Education in our collection athttp://www.flickr.com/niexecutive

5. Media enquiries to the Department of Education’s Communications Team on Tel:028 9127 9207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number07699715440 and your call will be returned.