AQW 6359/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 04/09/2020
Answered On Date: 08/09/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether any plans exist to facilitate more outdoor learning.

Answer:

Work is in progress to restart generic Youth provision from October 2020 on a phased approach. In preparation for this, the Education Authority (EA) Youth Service published its guidance to the sector for Youth Restart which is available on www.youthonline.org.uk . This guidance provides the framework for the sector to move towards a full resumption of services in line with the Northern Ireland Assembly 5 step strategy. Currently the EA is advising that they are at step 3 of that process.

A move to reopen Outdoor Learning Centres is scheduled as part of Step 4, though I recently asked the EA to consider the potential for residential activity commencing at an earlier stage than currently planned. This will require development of additional guidance which EA are currently progressing, subject to agreement by Public Health Authority/Department of Health.