SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
In response to Mr Durkan’s Assembly Question, Minister McIlveen announced that a further £10 million has been allocated to the initiative designed to deliver additional support to children in greatest need post-pandemic.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The past couple of years have been particularly challenging for children, the effect of lockdown and the pandemic on their learning has been significant.
“Since the return to school settings post-COVID, myself and others had called for additional support to assist children reintegrate and provide that extra help for those pupils who had fallen behind on their learning.
“The Engage Programme was subsequently rolled out in September 2021 to primary post primary, special schools, EOTAS centres and funded pre-school education settings.
“The initiative has been successful in its aim to limit any long-term adverse impact the pandemic by supporting pupils’ learning and engagement through provision of tailored support including; one to one, small group and team teaching support.
“Almost 1,700 schools have benefitted from this programme to date and I am pleased that in response to my Assembly Question, the Education Minister has confirmed that it will continue until December.
“This is a fantastic provision and it is vital that we have an executive in place to deliver the necessary funding to ensure it can continue beyond December 2022 and for the remainder of the 2023 academic year.”
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