Education Minister, Peter Weir, has announced an additional opportunity to access the £25million for the Delivering Social Change Shared Education Signature Project.
The Programme has been extended to June 2019 and is designed to further embed shared education practices in schools that have already engaged in shared education.
The Minister said:
“Shared Education is now well established across Northern Ireland with approximately 134 partnerships involving 314 schools who have successfully applied for funding and are now actively engaged in the Programme. Opening another call for funding will help to further embed the good practice and learning which is already established to deliver improved outcomes for our children, young people and wider society.”
The Shared Education Signature Programme is funded by the Executive, the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Education and requires schools to progress their current level of collaboration.
In conclusion the Minister said:
“I am aware of the difficult financial restraints facing schools and this funding for sharing could really help make a difference to many schools and their pupils. I encourage all eligible schools to consider applying.”
Notes to editors:
- Further details of the project and applications forms can be accessed on the Shared Education Signature Project website.
- The programme has now been extended to June 2019 for existing partnerships wishing to increase their level of activity or to include additional partner(s) as well as new partnerships of schools.
- The Peace IV Shared Education initiative will target schools that have no or limited prior experience of shared education.
- There are currently 134 partnerships involving 314 schools who have successfully applied for funding and are actively engaged in the project.
- The Delivering Social Change Shared Education Programme will run until June 2019
- The Programme is being administered by the Education Authority and will focus on schools that have already engaged in this work.
- The Atlantic Philanthropies aim to bring about lasting changes in the lives of the disadvantaged and vulnerable people around the world. Its objectives have been to promote and enhance opportunities for people, address the root causes of inequity and challenge destructive and discriminatory practices and public narratives. To learn more visit The Atlantic Philanthropies website.
- The DSC Shared Education Signature Project was launch in December 2014.
- The Department of Education has a statutory duty to encourage, facilitate and promote shared education as set out in the Shared Education Act (NI) 2016.
- Applications for Peace IV funding are expected to be available early in 2017.
- Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.