Basil McCrea, UUP Education Spokesperson, speaks on parental choice in education
Basil McCrea MLA visiting Longstone Special School in February of this year
The First Minister felt that serious financial saving could be made from the creation of a ‘Single Education Authority’, both as a single educational administrative body and a single education system. He added that it was “not just an economic but a moral question”, stating that it would be impossible to move beyond current community divisions while young people are educated separately.
UUP Education Spokesperson, Basil McCrea MLA took a decided different view Read more
Basil McCrea MLA meets with several members of the National Head Teachers Association
Basil McCrea MLA meeting with several members of the National Association of Headteachers in Belfast
Last Friday (5th October) UUP Education Spokesperson, Basil McCrea MLA met with several members of the Nursery Education Committee of the National Association of Head Teachers. The members, each a Head Teacher of a local nursery school discussed with Mr. McCrea vital issues affecting the children in their classes and their sector as a whole.
Basil McCrea is pictured here meeting with Tracy Cassells, Head Teacher of Barbour Nursery School in Lisburn, Diane Murdoch, Head Teacher of Tudorlodge Nursery School in Belfast, Emma Cory, Head Teacher of Shaftesbury Nursery School in Belfast and Clare Majury, Head Teacher of Holywood Nursery School in Holywood.
Breast Cancer – Wear it Pink! Campaign 2010
Basil McCrea and the UUP Team show their support for the Breast Cancer Campaign's Wear it Pink Day
Today Basil McCrea, MLA for Lagan Valley, and a number of UUP Party members showed their support for the Breast Cancer Awareness week by wearing pink and encouraging acknowledgement and support for those victims and survivors of breast cancer.
Pictured from left to right; Billy Armstrong, Leslie Cree, David McClarty, Jo-Anne Dobson, Ken Robinson, Basil McCrea, Sam Gardiner, Danny Kennedy, Sandra Overend, Rev. Bob Coulter, Danny Kinahan, Carol Black, George Savage, Roy Beggs
Basil McCrea MLA welcomes visit from Early Years
Basil McCrea, UUP Spokesperson on Education meets with Early Years
Ulster Unionist MLA Basil McCrea has welcomed a visit from Early Years, a young persons’ organisation to the Northern Ireland Assembly in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of early intervention within our education sector.
Representatives from the UUP met with Pauline Walmsley and Siobhan Fitzpatrick as they put forward their views on how to move forward.
Commenting after the meeting Basil said; “Our education system is currently failing in relation to Early Years and this is where the UUP believe the focus needs to be. Read more
A letter to my Party colleagues…
Basil McCrea, UUP Spokesperson for Education & Policing
A letter from Basil McCrea MLA
My Dear Colleagues
On the 22nd September our Party will meet to select a new leader. I write to ask you for your support.
I have chosen to write rather than produce a glossy brochure because the issues involved require careful consideration and your personal assessment. This is not a trivial decision but one of huge importance for it will decide not just the fate of our party, but perhaps the future of politics in Northern Ireland. Read more
A-Level Courses axed from South Eastern Regional College Lisburn Campus
The decision to axe second year A-Levels from the Lisburn campus of the South Eastern regional College has been described as a moral betrayal of educational trust by Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea.
Students who either wish to complete A Level courses started last year or embark on new courses have been left, said Mr. McCrea, “between a rock and hard place.”
“The only way that those students can now complete their courses is if they are prepared to travel to the Bangor campus of SERC.
“It is bureaucracy gone mad and is a public relations disaster for SERC. Read more
GCSE results highlight hard work of teachers and pupils
Ulster Unionist MLA Basil McCrea has sent his best wishes to all those students who have received their GCSE results.
The Lagan Valley MLA said; “I would like to send my best wishes to all those who have just received their GCSE results. Once again Northern Ireland students, assisted by teaching staff, have turned in a set of tremendous results which bear testimony to a great deal of hard work and dedication.
Whilst there will be many students who will have achieved the results which they wanted, I am also mindful that there will be those who will be disappointed at not getting the results which they expected. People in the second category should realise that they are not alone and that help is at hand.
Whatever situation people find themselves in, it is important that they take time to evaluate and consider all options open to them. In this respect the Careers Service plays a vital role and can be contacted via http://www.careersserviceni.com/Cultures/en-GB/CareerService/ or by telephoning 028 9044 1781.”
Milwaukee Festival welcomes a unionist MLA from Stormont Assembly
MLA Basil McCrea left this morning to visit the internationally renowned Milwaukee Festival which this year is focusing on Northern Ireland. Mr McCrea, as a strong Unionist voice abroad, will represent Northern Ireland’s cultural diversity and, will take this opportunity to present the benefits of investing in Northern Ireland. Read more
Take advantage of career advice!
MLA Basil McCrea has encouraged those awaiting their GCSE and A’Level results this week to take advantage of the careers advice service provided by the Department and Employment and Learning in helping them to decide what direction to take in their future.
“This week many young people throughout Northern Ireland will be receiving their exam results” said Mr McCrea. “Having spoken to a number of young people, I have found that most have very a sure idea of where they see themselves going next, and I have no doubt that they will continue on wherever they have planned to go. However some young people may find themselves somewhat disappointed by their grades, or simply had a change of heart from their original direction, leaving them confused about what to do next Read more
Basil McCrea supports National Citizen Scheme launch
Today Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea spoke regarding the pending announcement from Prime Minister David Cameron that 10,000 school leavers will be able to take part in a summer volunteering program beginning next year. As an active supporter of several voluntary and community organizations activities, Mr McCrea was keen to discuss new indicatives proposed by Prime Minister. Read more
