A total of 451 educational settings have applied to run a voluntary summer scheme.
Details of school budget allocations for the School Summer Scheme 2021 have been published today.
The Education Minister Peter Weir said: “Schools have responded overwhelmingly to the call for applications, resulting in 451 educational settings who have applied to the Department for support to run a voluntary Summer Scheme. This is ten times larger than last year.
“I am investing £4.5 million in the programme, the main purpose of which is to help pupils make a successful return to learning in September 2021.
“This is not about catch-up and schools will have flexibly to develop an appropriate programme. There will be a focus on emotional health and wellbeing, as well as activities, which are interactive and fun, with plenty of scope for outside play, and for learning activities.
“I am confident that this scheme will provide a welcome and enjoyable distraction for our young people who have faced so much turmoil during the last year.”
The settings involved include primary and post-primary schools, special schools and EOTAS settings.
The Education Authority’s Youth Service is also planning a significant programme of summer activities which will complement the work that schools undertake.
