O’Dowd addresses Jim Haughey memorial event

Education Minister, John O’Dowd has delivered the key note address at the 4th annual Jim Haughey memorial lecture event.
~ Wednesday, 1 February 2012

The theme of this year’s lecture, attended by members of the public, elected representatives, trade unionists and representatives from local schools, was ‘education of future generations’.

Speaking at the event in Lurgan Town Hall organised by the Craigavon & District Trades Council, the Minister said: “It is an honour to be invited to deliver the annual Jim Haughey lecture and I would like to commend the organisers for selecting education as their theme this year.

“In these difficult economic times, the work of moulding and nurturing our young people has never been more important. Education is the fundamental building block in producing a generation that is best prepared to deal with the many challenges that lie ahead.

“In September I made a statement to the Assembly outlining my vision for the future of education in the north of Ireland. At that stage I put in place a vital programme of work which will ensure that in the future we have in place a pattern of provision which delivers the high quality education future generations deserve – a system which delivers educational excellence for all.”

The Minister continued: “We are very fortunate in the north in that we have many good schools and many excellent, dedicated teachers who will help drive forward the educational improvements that are required. The education sector here caters for the very youngest learners in pre-school settings through to those who are leaving school. It is thanks to the hard work of staff across these settings that we can look back over progress and success in many areas and can feel positive about tackling the challenges ahead.

“It is through the collective effort of everyone involved that we are already seeing standards being raised. Literacy and numeracy levels are improving across all age groups and increasing numbers of young people are attaining the five good GCSEs that are such a key enabling factor as they decide on their future paths.

“In addition, the full implementation of the Entitlement Framework will ensure that pupils in post-primary schools have a legal right to a wider range of courses to help meet their needs and aspirations. This move is a key part of my vision of an education system that is tailored to meet the needs of the pupils in our schools; not the institutions themselves.

“When we finalise the Special Educational Needs and Early Years Strategies I am satisfied we will have in place a radical and coherent set of policies designed to improve educational outcomes for young people.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “While I fully acknowledge that this is a challenging time for education I also firmly believe that it is an exciting time, as we are building the foundations for an education system that I believe in the future has the potential to become truly world class.”

Notes to editors:

1. The lecture is named after Lurgan man Jim Haughey, who fought with the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. Mr Haughey was incarcerated in one of General Franco’s concentration camps after the Battle of Ebro. He later volunteered for the Canadian Air Force, and was killed in a plane crash on September 12, 1943. His name is engraved on Canada’s World War Two Book of Remembrance. The annual lecture is a lasting tribute to him.
2. Media queries, contact the Department of Education Communications Team on 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.