Parents speak out on return to school


IN LESS than two weeks, pre-school, nursery and primary school pupils in P1 to P3 will be making their long awaited return to school after Education Minister Peter Weir announced a phased reopening plan to begin from 8 March. However, parents have criticised Mr Weir’s decision, deeming it “senseless” as remote learning will come back […]

Students call to ‘not delay’ guidance on exams


WHILE the cancellation of all GCSE and ‘A’ level examinations has been a “relief” for many, anxiety remains rife with pupils “none the wiser” as to how they will be graded. With tight lockdown restrictions still in place, and the majority of pupils facing an extended period of remote learning, students at St Kevin’s College, […]

Stop transfer test for the sake of youth mental health


WHILE exams for pupils at second level have been cancelled, some controversial transfer tests for primary pupils may still be going ahead. Locally, both St Michael’s College and Mount Lourdes Grammar School already announced they would not be holding transfer tests this year several months ago. However, on its website, the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School […]

Minister’s decision to eventually cancel exams welcomed


AFTER weeks and months of resisting calls from parents, politicians and in particular students, Education Minister Peter Weir has finally agreed to cancel this year’s GCSE and A Level exams. Minister Weir, who had resisted continuous calls for the exams to be cancelled, finally decided to pull the plug after similar decisions were taken in […]

Fears for school bus services when lockdown is lifted


THERE are concerns Fermanagh’s school bus drivers will be put at risk if they are not given adequate protection when children begin returning to the classrooms. At the moment, the plan is for some pupils to start returning to school from August 24 onwards, with all pupils expected to be back in class by September. […]

Schoolgirl puts Minister on the spot over broadband


THE issue of poor broadband in Fermanagh and concerns about the impact of this on pupils learning from home has been raised by an Enniskillen pupil. Abigail Farrelly, a Year 11 pupil from Erne Integrated College took part in a “Question Time” style press conference with Minister For Education, Peter Weir on Monday last. Abigail […]