Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has today (Thursday 23
March) launched important new educational resources for
pupils in Northern Ireland and across the UK as part of the
programme to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast (Good
Friday) Agreement.
During a visit to Carrickfergus’ Ulidia Integrated College, whose
pupils became the first in the UK to use the new materials, the
Secretary of State attended an assembly using the materials to
tell the story of the journey to the world-renowned peace deal,
and its continuing role today.
The free, optional resources support secondary school and
college teachers in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales
to give an assembly on the Agreement using a short animated
video, and to lead a follow-up classroom discussion.
They have been developed independently by The National Archives
and in collaboration with academics, teachers and other experts,
with consultation from curriculum and school bodies across the
UK. This first group of resources will be followed later
this year by classroom materials.
During the visit to Ulidia Integrated College, the Secretary of
State viewed the new Assembly video resource alongside pupils and
teachers, before discussing with the young people what the
Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement anniversary means to them. He
then met with pupils using the new materials for classroom
discussion.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said:
“Thanks to the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, Northern
Ireland’s young people have grown up in peace and safety, looking
forward to a future of hope and opportunity.
“That’s why I’m incredibly proud to launch this new education
package, which will give young people in Northern Ireland and
across the UK the chance to deepen their appreciation and
understanding of the Agreement’s benefits and encourage them to
engage with this historic anniversary.
“It’s particularly relevant that I’m launching this initiative in
an integrated school, a symbol of reconciliation, which the
Agreement promoted.”
Jeff James, Keeper and Chief Executive of The National
Archives said:
‘This important resource gives young people the opportunity to
study and discuss the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement using
material from the original documents. It allows students to
consider topics that affect them and their communities, at a
level which is meaningful to them and to gain an understanding of
how important the Agreement is.’
UK Government Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and
Higher Education said:
“The 25th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement is
significant not just for Northern Ireland but for the whole of
the UK.
“It is absolutely right that we recognise the progress that has
been made since 1998 and these free, optional resources for
school assemblies can help build an understanding of our complex
history.”
Teachers, and those who wish to use the free educational
resources developed by The National Archives, can download the
materials here.
