More funding needed for specialist schools

Ulster Unionist education spokesperson Basil McCrea although welcoming additional funding to the Specialist Schools Programme in Northern Ireland, has said that more needs to be done to ensure investment in the sector.

Following an announcement by the Minister for Education Caitriona Ruane which stated that a further 10 schools would be designated as Specialist Schools from September 2009 the UUP Assemblyman said;

"While this announcement by the Minister for Education is welcome, the fact of the matter is that funding for the Specialist Schools Programme in Northern Ireland still lags far behind the rest of the UK. Over 90 per cent of post primary schools in England are specialist schools compared to a small minority in Northern Ireland. Specialist schools have a proven track record of improving educational outcomes and the Ulster Unionist Party has for some time been calling for a radical extension of the programme."

"The announcement is in the right direction, but the Minister for Education, Caitriona Ruane has a lot more to do in this specific area."