Education

On April 29, 2026, Education Minister Paul Givan announced significant investments in school construction projects to address urgent needs in poorly maintained schools. This announcement came during a visit to Fairview Primary School.

The government will progress four new build major works projects and nine school enhancement projects to the construction stage. The total capital investment for the major works projects is just over £130 million, while the enhancement projects will receive just over £50 million.

Key projects include:

The major works projects: Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Priory Integrated College, Dunclug College, and St Malachy’s Primary School. and The school enhancement projects: Lurgan College, Greenhaw Primary School, Antrim Primary School, Fairview Primary School, Ballyclare Primary School, Chapel Road Primary School, Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Belfast, St Bride’s Primary School, Belfast, and St Mary’s Primary School, Newtownbutler.

Givan noted that many of these projects have been in planning for a significant number of years. The aim is to address immediate and pressing needs through refurbishment or extension works in schools that are in exceptionally poor condition.

The Minister emphasized the importance of increased and sustained capital investment across the Schools’ Estate. He stated that proceeding to construction stage will be very welcome news for the schools, pupils, and wider school communities concerned as well as for the wider construction industry.

The Public Legal Education (PLE) Committee will also focus on improving public legal education coordination and delivery. Public legal education gives people the confidence, skills, and knowledge to understand their rights and responsibilities—an essential aspect of fostering a fair society.