The Minister was speaking to 12 Principals from the Ballymena and Larne areas in Tullyglass House, Ballymena. The Minister said:
“Through this period of transition, strong leadership from those people at grassroots level who have extensive knowledge, solutions and ideas, can help to drive reforms forward.
“We need to instil confidence in our parents, teachers and pupils when it comes to reforms such as Area Based Planning, the Review of Public Administration and the Review of Literacy and Numeracy. All of which ultimately will transform our education system into one which future generations will benefit from.”
The Minister continued: “Demographic decline, which has resulted in 50,000 empty school desks, means we do not have the luxury of standing still. Change is happening all around us whether we want it or not. Now is the time to take charge, to move with the current situation and lead the changes in a way that will benefit all involved with education.”
The Minister met with Principals from the Ballymena and Larne area as part of her continued outreach programme across the North of Ireland.
“I believe that with will, co-operation and the passion that I have seen from Principals during these meetings, we can find a way forward, we can raise standards and we can create a better future for our children, full of opportunities and promise.”
Notes to Editors
The Minister met with the Principals from:
- St Comgall’s College
- St Mary’s College
- Ballymena Academy
- Dunclug College
- Cambridge House Grammar School
- Ballee Community High School
- St Aloysius’ High School
- Larne High School
- St Patrick’s College
- St Louis Grammar School
- St MacNissi’s College
- Cullybackey High School
Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office 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.
