DUP’s Forsythe calls for ‘well rounded education system’

DUP’s Forsythe calls for ‘well rounded education system’

27 April 2022

DUP South Down Assembly election candidate Diane Forsythe has called for investment in a “well rounded education system” to enable young people to flourish and realise their full potential.  

As voters prepare to go to the polls next week, the mum of three young primary school children, said the education issue is one that’s close to her heart.

She said her party’s plan for Northern Ireland includes a firm commitment to keeping schools world-class, in tandem with a promise to ensure that a fair funding model for all schools is in place. 

Ms Forsythe said she believes children should be brought up together in a shared society but is firmly opposed the Integrated Education Bill passed by the Assembly as it “elevates Integrated schools above all others”.

She continued: “I want to see a full equality impact assessment on this Bill in the Assembly in relation to funding to prevent disadvantages being imposed.

“I am a proud supporter of the controlled schools sector which is open to all children and am honest, transparent and proud of my position on this issue. I send all my children to controlled schools and have volunteered my time over the past 10 years to chair a Board of Governors in the controlled Schools sector, fighting to secure funding and jobs in the school.”

The DUP candidate said she has advocated the controlled schools’ position in many forums over the years and not just when standing for election. 

She said voters can trust her to stand up for schools and remain principled on this, asking can all the other unionist election candidates demonstrate the same level of past support in the educational sector?  

“The DUP is committed to building more new schools in the next five years and this is critical as many are heavily in need of investment. Controlled High Schools in the area have not seen significant investment in over 70 years, whilst the local integrated school [Shimna College] is getting a second new build in 30 years.This is an inequitable distribution of funds,” Ms Forsythe declared.

“We also need to address the sustainable schools restrictions which disadvantage our rural schools preventing access to capital funds needed as they are oversubscribed.  Modernisation of the curriculum for the 21st century workplace is high on the DUP agenda too.”

The DUP candidate also believes that some traditional subjects need to be realigned to the needs of the workplace as well as enhancing vocational education and apprenticeships. 

She added: “To help working families with children in education, the DUP pledges to support widening access to breakfast and homework clubs and put a cap on school uniform costs.   

We also support a full restructure of special educational needs services as well as ensuring fair access to pre-school places for all children.”