Weir takes part in The World’s Largest Lesson

Date published: 19 September 2016

The Global initiative taking place in schools across the world this week, sees local pupils participating in lessons about global goals and how they can play a part in ending extreme poverty, fighting inequality and injustice and fixing climate change.

Speaking during his visit the Minister said:

“I am pleased to be here today to witness firsthand pupils enjoying and participating in a worldwide and significantly important event. The World’s Largest Lesson is a fantastic opportunity for schools to participate in a global initiative and develop their understanding of their role in the wider world.”

During the event the Minister toured the school to witness how pupils are learning about and supporting the United Nations Global Goals. The World’s Largest Lesson is run by Unicef and is specially designed to communicate these goals to children and young people on the basis that children will be most affected from the achievement or failing to achieve these goals.

Peter Weir continued:

“The goals of the Programme align with the ‘Personal Development & Mutual Understanding’ and ‘Learning for Life & Work’ areas of learning within our curriculum here in Northern Ireland. The Sustainable Development Goals present a challenge to all of us. As Minister for Education, Goal Four, ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’ is particularly relevant to my work and my priorities as Education Minister.

“Events like today’s provide an excellent opportunity for the whole education sector to think about how we can all work together to address the underachievement that currently exists and to ensure that all young people in our schools are supported to achieve their full potential.”