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Specialist schools' £3.5m boost Specialist schools' £3.5m boost
(about 8 hours later)
Northern Ireland's new specialist schools are to benefit from a £3.5m cash injection from the International Fund for Ireland.Northern Ireland's new specialist schools are to benefit from a £3.5m cash injection from the International Fund for Ireland.
The initiative is part of the Fund's efforts towards reconciliation and integration in schools.The initiative is part of the Fund's efforts towards reconciliation and integration in schools.
All the schemes funded by the seven-figure sum must be cross community.All the schemes funded by the seven-figure sum must be cross community.
The schools are being asked to put forward ideas on how they will promote integration and sharing.The schools are being asked to put forward ideas on how they will promote integration and sharing.
Fund's chairman Denis Rooney said: "The idea is to support the special schools and reach out across the community divide to other schools.
"We will provide support, both to the teachers and children, and will give them whatever encouragement they need."
"Bids can be made from September this year and must be cross community," BBC NI education correspondent Maggie Taggart said."Bids can be made from September this year and must be cross community," BBC NI education correspondent Maggie Taggart said.
"The eligible specialist schools have been named as having particular skills in teaching a range of subjects, particularly the performing arts and information and communication technology."The eligible specialist schools have been named as having particular skills in teaching a range of subjects, particularly the performing arts and information and communication technology.
"Six of the schools are Catholic maintained, five are controlled schools and one is an integrated college.""Six of the schools are Catholic maintained, five are controlled schools and one is an integrated college."
Multi-billion dollar endowmentMulti-billion dollar endowment
The scheme could, for instance, help a school from one sector with expertise in music, to facilitate pupils from a different sector where music is not taught to A-level.The scheme could, for instance, help a school from one sector with expertise in music, to facilitate pupils from a different sector where music is not taught to A-level.
It is understood that the money is to be used for practical help and training as opposed to buying large items, like buses.It is understood that the money is to be used for practical help and training as opposed to buying large items, like buses.
The money for the schemes has been donated by the Atlantic Philanthropies Charitable Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to spending its entire multi-billion dollar endowment by 2020, in order to bring about "lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people".The money for the schemes has been donated by the Atlantic Philanthropies Charitable Foundation, a charitable organisation committed to spending its entire multi-billion dollar endowment by 2020, in order to bring about "lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people".
According to its website, it is currently concentrating its work in seven regions of the world where problems are "acute" and grant making can have an impact in the next 15 years.According to its website, it is currently concentrating its work in seven regions of the world where problems are "acute" and grant making can have an impact in the next 15 years.
These include Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Vietnam.These include Australia, Bermuda, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Vietnam.