Mnister launches 'Homework Rules' project

Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Employment and Learning, has launched the Homework Rules project as part of the Renewing Communities Initiative.

Homework Rules is a new internet-based project to create an online resource for parents of primary school children.  It will be developed by students of Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education (BIFHE).  The project is a direct response to a request by parents for assistance with their children’s mathematics homework.

With the publication of the Renewing Communities Action Plan, Government announced a package of £33million of funding aimed at addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities.  The Action Plan, with a total of 62 actions, sets a clear framework for tackling disadvantage in some of Northern Ireland’s most deprived communities.  

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said:

“This is one of many exciting new projects under Renewing Communities.  It is encouraging to see a local college helping to make homework a shared activity between parents and their children, in such an accessible way.

“I am always impressed by the work done in our further education colleges, particularly in this case with Belfast Institute’s students playing a leading role in developing the project.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The Homework Rules project is part of Action 1.18 of the Renewing Communities Action Plan, Workforce and Economic Development Centre (WEDC) Outreach Programme (North & West Belfast), a programme of outreach from the Springvale WEDC (Action 1.17).  The WEDC is intended to enhance the skills of the workforce and improve the productivity and competitiveness of businesses in the area.
  2. There is considerable evidence from a variety of studies that the Greater Shankill community is extremely impoverished in terms of educational achievement.  Over 60% of adults have no qualifications of any sort.  The situation is particularly weak amongst the protestant community that makes up the great majority of people in the area.  Adults under the age of 35 are more likely to have qualifications (at a low level however) than those over the age of 35.
  3. The process of developing this bespoke website will begin in October 2007.
  4. By 2008, the Greater Shankill area will have a parent-driven, online resource that will help them and other parents in Northern Ireland to support their children with their academic progression.
  5. The Minister was met at the launch by Director and Chief Executive of Belfast Institute for Further and Higher Education, Brian Turtle.
  6. Media queries to Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.