Northern Ireland needs serious commitment to pre-school education - Peacocke
North Down Councillor and Education Policy Team member Diana Peacocke has highlighted the importance of pre- school education following a recent report by Birkbeck College in London and Stranmillis College and today’s announcement by Angela Smyth on Effective Pre-School Provision in Northern Ireland.
Councillor Peacocke said:
“The research shows what most parents of young children know - pre-school education gives children a head start. The OECD describes education in early years as providing ‘the foundations for life-long learning’. That is why the Ulster Unionist Party is committed to ensuring high-quality early years education for every child in Northern Ireland. As our recent policy papers on early years stated, quality pre-school education should be a universal entitlement.
“It is therefore welcome today’s news that Government have at last acted in this area, with the Department of Education taking the lead in early years policy and tasked with promoting high quality early years provision. As with all Direct Rule initiatives, there will be widespread suspicion amongst parents and the early years sector about this Administration’s long term commitment. We will be watching closely to ensure that fine words are followed by actions.
“The lack of parity in early years education between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom should be an issue of concern for all in Northern Ireland. It is unclear from today’s announcement that the Direct Rule administration has a commitment to seriously addressing this”.