Education Minister John O’Dowd has cut the first sods in three school projects in Down District in Saintfield, Dundrum and Carnacaville.
In Dundrum, he was present at the start of the development of the £2.49million Knockevin Infants’ Centre.
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Education MInister John O’dowd at Saintfield High School with the Principal Vivien Watt and some of the pupils.[/caption]
The centre is attached to Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick and the works are part of the School Enhancement Programme (SEP) approved by the Minister in March 2014.
Speaking at the site, the Minister said: “This is a good day for all the pupils and staff of Knockevin Special School. The new Infants’ Centre will make a huge difference to their learning environment.”
Education Minister John O’Dowd also has cut the first sod on a £1.698million refurbishment project at St Joseph’s Primary School, Carnacaville near Newcastle.
The scheme will see the construction of three new classrooms and refurbishment of three further classrooms, a new multi-purpose hall and the refurbishment of the existing building. The project is part of the School Enhancement Programme approved by the Minister in March 2014.
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Education Minister John O’Dowd visits the site of the new 2.49million Knockevin Infants’ Centre in Dundrum as building work gets underway with School Principal Ann Cooper and pupils.[/caption]
Speaking at the site the Minister said: “This is a good day for all the pupils and staff here at St Joseph’s Carnacaville. This investment in a refurbished school will make a huge difference to the learning environment.
St Joseph’s Primary School is a rural primary school constructed in 1954 on the site of the original national school which dated back to 1838. The works contract was awarded to Maurice Flynn and Sons.
Minister O’Dowd said at all venues that: “Continued investment in our schools estate is essential if we are to help support our teaching staff to deliver a quality education to our children and young people.
“In these difficult financial times, where the capital budget is limited, the School Enhancement Programme is an important means of refurbishing and making the most of the existing schools estate. Projects such as this also provide a much needed boost to the local construction industry.”
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Education Minister John O’Dowd, School Principal Christopher McCann with Bronagh Kane and Cormac McMurrough cutting the first sod on a £1.698m refurbishment at St Joseph’s Primary School, Carnacaville.[/caption]
The Education Minister also cut the first sod on a £1.52 million sports hall at Saintfield High School.
This project was approved in March 2014 to be carried out under the School Enhancement Programme (SEP).
Speaking at the site the Minister said: “This is a good day for all the pupils and staff at Saintfield High School. The new sports hall will make a huge difference to the school community.”
Saintfield High School was built in 1958 and has a current enrolment of 369 pupils and the the works contract was awarded to MSM Contracts Ltd.
The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school.
Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances.
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