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Local political representatives have expressed their disappointment at the news that the Department of Education due to budgetary pressures are ending funding for a popular primary school sports coaching programme. The programme was delivered by IFA and GAA coaches in over 200 primary schools across the North.
Newry City Councillor, Aidan Mathers said the decision was "punishing children and young people" while Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty is seeking an urgent meeting with the Department's Permanent Secretary to have the programme restored.
Mr McNulty believes that children will lose out following the decision “Since its introduction the school sports programme has had a massive impact in schools across the North, allowing young people to enjoy sport with elite level coaching from both the GAA and IFA. When a similar scheme ended in 2018 there was a real sense of disappointment, but on that occasion common sense prevailed and a new scheme was launched for primary school pupils." he said.
“This programme had huge benefits for our children, not only encouraging them to participate in sport which keeps them fit and healthy, but teaching them the importance of teamwork and the emotional resilience that comes with taking part in organised sport. Developing these skills at a young age will encourage children to keep active throughout their lives with all the benefits that brings. The decision to end this programme will have a significant impact on our young people and schools and demonstrates yet again that PE is the poor relation in education.
“Sports coaching for children cannot be yet another casualty of the DUP’s Stormont boycott and the austerity budget imposed on us by the Tory government. No matter what harm is visited on people in the North these people fail to face up to the reality of their actions. To see this programme ripped away, which contributes so much positivity to children and their families’ lives is extremely disappointing, and I hope to see this scheme return, as it did in 2019.
Councillor Aidan Mathers said “It is deeply concerning that the funding for the primary schools' sports programme is to be cut. This is a vital sports programme delivered by GAA and IFA coaches to over 200 schools and over 24,000 children across the north.
“These coaches deliver much-needed physical education lessons and ensured pupils were at least getting some form of physical activity throughout the week. Physical activity has been proven to help children and young people both physically and mentally.
“This is yet another consequence of immoral and indefensible Tory cuts that has decimated our public services and is punishing children and young people. The British government must end the cycle of cuts and properly invest in our education system."
The Newry councillor called for the Executive to be established now so that local parties can support our children and young people.
