Regional Plan for Special Schools welcomed by MLA

West Tyrone MLA Barry McElduff has welcomed a commitment on Northern Ireland's Special Schools from Education Minister Peter Weir.

That's after the DUP MLA for North Down said he'd bring forward a Regional Plan for Special Schools.

McElduff, chair of Stormont's Education Committee, said he was happy a "pupil-centred" approach was being developed.

"At the end of the day, it's about cherishing all of our children," he said.

"We need to be absolutely satisfied that they have full respect and full priority when it comes to government planning into the future," he added.

The Sinn Fein assmeblyman went on to say he welcomed this "first-ever" development.

“I welcome the fact the Education Minister issued a statement today which said that the first-ever Regional Plan for Special Schools will be developed.

“This will require the development of a single database by the Education Authority for children in Early Years for whom special educational needs have been identified," he said.

Also party spokesman on issues surrounding Education, the Tyrone-based MLA said he'd also sought assurances on what the Department was doing for rural schools.

“A pupil-centred approach to begin the Special Schools planning process needs to be developed with a robustly consistent picture of those children’s educational needs.

“In relation to small primary schools I have sought reassurance that the Department of Education and the Education Authority develop an innovative approach to the challenges facing small rural schools,” he said.