Category Archives: Children and young people

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs MLA has called on the Education Minister to immediately reconsider his decision on GCSE grading, which has effectively placed a ban on some English exam bodies offering course options for local students and schools.   Mr Beggs said:   “The Education Minister’s decision not to follow the English example of numerical grading has led directly to major English exam bodies making numerous courses unavailable to study in Northern Ireland.   “In answers to Assembly questions I have tabled on this issue, the Minister of Education has admitted that he does not know how much it will cost to replace courses no longer available as a result of his ideological ban on English based courses exam bodies which are switching to grades 1-9.   “It is irresponsible for the Minister of Education to effectively ban a range of subject choices to local students … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist representative Roy Beggs MLA has questioned the Education Minister on cuts to early years investment in Northern Ireland, at the same time that he is investing funding into a new post-primary Irish language school for 14 pupils. Roy Beggs said “I declare an interest as a committee member of Horizon Sure Start. James Heckman, a Nobel prize-winning economist, has written extensively on the value for money of early years investment. My question to the Minister is this: why has he chosen to cut early years investment, which brings benefits to the entire community, yet he is able to find money for a new post-primary Irish language school for 14 pupils? Education Minister John O’Dowd MLA added  “I have not chosen to cut funding for early years: that was imposed on us by the Conservative Party, which has a minuscule mandate here. We continue to invest over £200 million … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member Roy Beggs MLA has presented a petition which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing, by making it compulsory within the Northern Ireland school curriculum, to the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Speaking in the Assembly, Roy Beggs MLA said “I commend the work of Sara Patterson, a year 14 pupil at Carrickfergus Grammar School, who is seeking to make Mental Health and Well Being a compulsory and more significant part of the NI School Curriculum.  With the support of her friends, Sara has collected signatures by going door to door in her local community.  She has also organised an online petition using Change.org. Some 605 signatures have been collected.  I wish to put on record my admiration for Sara’s vision and effort to increase the awareness of mental health issues and to make students at our schools more knowledgeable of how to improve … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist Party Assemblyman Roy Beggs MLA has added his support to the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum’s Anti-Bullying Week 2014, which runs from 17th – 21st November. During Anti-Bullying Week 2014 (#ABW14), over 800 schools and youth groups across the region will participate in a range of activities, highlighting key anti-bullying messages around the theme “together we will make a difference – end bullying now!” During ABW14, the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum are calling on everyone in our society, of all ages and in all areas, to think about what they will do to end bullying.  What will you do? Roy Beggs MLA, who recently took the pledge, said “As a Boys’ Brigade officer, I will continue to watch out for all children and young people to try and prevent bullying from occurring.” He added “If you also want to take the pledge, feel free to tweet @niabf using #ABW14 … Continue reading →

Ulster Unionist East Antrim representative Roy Beggs MLA has recently attended the Home-Start manifesto launch at Parliament Buildings, where he spoke of his support for the good work that the group does in East Antrim. Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt MLA was also in attendance. Roy Beggs MLA said “Home-Start do excellent work in providing our children with safe places to play; support when their parents suffer from mental illness and protection from hunger and poor nutrition. The launch of their manifesto outlined how they envisage that they can make it happen.” Mr Beggs continued; “I am aware that 1,500 families are being supported by 900 volunteers in Northern Ireland, with 40% of the families that Home-Start supports in Northern Ireland, living in poverty. Parental mental health problems are the most cited reason for referral to Home-Start Northern Ireland, and I am aware that individuals like Health Visitors make … Continue reading →