Ms M?ir?n N? Ch?ileachair:

I think a comprehensive CPD programme for teachers across all schools is where to start. We also need to look at resources. We had a conversation on some of the very large urban DEIS schools. A lot of them are in very old building stock where it is extremely difficult to provide non-traditional teaching experiences because of the size of the classrooms, the shape of the school and even the way the corridors work. We need to examine the provision of extra spaces in these schools. We are doing this at the moment for special education and I think we should be looking at it for STEM as well. It should be integrated into the redevelopment of any school building that if we are focusing on STEM, that needs to be brought into account in the design of schools and the design of the environment, including the physical environment both inside and outside the school. It is an opportune time to focus on CPD for teachers as well with the development of our new primary school curriculum. On teacher awareness, DEIS schools are also particularly good at working with pupils. I suggest the provision of home-school liaison to all DEIS schools, as not all DEIS schools have it.

Looking at rural DEIS and perhaps other categories of school, the connection between home and school needs to be fostered. Raising parental awareness is an important factor, as is focusing on people in the community who have succeeded and who are working locally, such as the hairdressers with the chemistry that Ms Maniti spoke about. There needs to be a more integrated society-wide approach that is not just in schools. We need to go outside the school gates when we promote this, particularly in certain communities.