Shared education which was pioneered by schools across Fermanagh has been given a financial boost this week of around £25 million.

The First Minister, Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness announced that shared education will now be mainstreamed into education and receive the money which is part of Delivering Social Change.

In total £58 million is to be spent on shared education, dementia care and early years learning with just less than half the amount funded by Atlantic Philantropies set up by U.S. billionaire, Chuck Feeney.

Announcing the Programme, First Minister Peter Robinson said: “This new £58m package of services, under the Delivering Social Change initiative, will result in a real and positive change in the lives of people in genuine need. It is a clear and strong signal of the Executive’s determination to improve the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland.

“Aimed at helping those most in need, these three new projects will help provide support for people with dementia and their carers. They will help deliver improved services for parents facing difficulties and provide schools with the resources that they need to increase shared education among our young people.” The Deputy First Minister said: “Although the £58m is coming from different sources we all share a common aim. To make a tangible difference to the lives of the people who need it most. We must address the needs of all of our citizens, in particular those suffering disadvantage and those on the margins of society. The Executive is determined to lay the foundations for sustained social improvement and economic growth longer term..” Commenting on the announcement, Education Minister John O’Dowd said: “Shared education can significantly contribute to improving educational outcomes and, in doing so, contribute to a more reconciled society. This additional funding will provide the opportunity to increase significantly the numbers of children and young people participating in shared education.” There has been positive reaction to the joint announcement especially as local schools have been leading the way with this initiative.

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust enthusiastically welcomed the news that shared education is to be mainstreamed.

He said; “Shared education has been an integral part of education in Fermanagh for the last six years. The Government mainstreaming of shared education is to be greatly welcomed.” “The exemplary work that has taken place across Fermanagh’s schools in pioneering shared education, which has drawn admiration and praise from all sections of the community and all political parties, has contributed significantly to today’s announcement by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in helping to inform and develop the programme,” added Mr. McCusker.

Many schools have developed links helping to build bridges between the two main communities, with significant joint working, sharing and collaboration.

Lauri said: “The Assembly’s formal adoption of shared education as their policy shows the effectiveness of the programme in Fermanagh and ensures that the work will continue.

“There has been widespread support from school communities, political parties, churches and other organisations for the programme which launched in 2009, administered by the Fermanagh Trust. The year on year growth in terms of numbers of schools participating and the number of pupils involved was evidence of the demand for shared education and the benefits that they derived from it. Shared education has resulted in educational benefits for pupils, societal benefits in terms of better relations between communities; and economic benefits, through joint work and cross-sectoral collaboration.

“During a visit by the Education Committee to Fermanagh in June there was high praise for the county’s schools, where the Fermanagh Trust had the opportunity to brief the MLAs. They stated that the Assembly must not treat shared education as an ‘add-on’ or a programme but that it must be in the DNA of how education is delivered. The Delivering Social Change announcement, the commitment from the Executive and the £25 million of funding ensures that shared education will be intrinsic to education policy. “ Felicity Humphreys, Principal of Moat Primary School said; “We very much welcome today’s announcement as it ensures that good work that we have done together is going to progress. Shared Education has greatly enriched the teaching and learning experience for pupils, enhanced professional development for staff and has helped develop closer community relations. Now we will have the opportunity to continue to learn from and with each other.”