Northern Ireland’s largest teacher education colleges haved joined forces to launch a major professional development programme in Belfast.
Developed by Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College, Classrooms Re-imagined: Education in Diversity and Inclusion for Teachers (CREDIT) will enable educators to play a proactive role in leading community relations and community cohesion from the classroom.
The International Fund for Ireland, through its Sharing in Education Programme, has provided more than £839,500 for the joint project.
John Carson Fund Secretariat said: “This is an important programme that will equip education professionals with a toolkit to make a lasting positive impact in classrooms, schools and communities.
“Both Stranmillis and St Mary’s University Colleges have long-standing experience and success in developing professional development programmes that enhance all communities. This ground-breaking collaboration is an investment in teachers and addresses an area that needs to be managed in a sustainable manner.”
Mr Carson also expressed thanks to the international donors who have supported the work of the International Fund for Ireland for 25 years, namely the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The accredited CREDIT programme aims to equip teachers with the skills and confidence to deal with diversity, inclusion and community cohesion issues in school environments and coordinators estimate that some 160 teachers will gain from the training with more than 5,000 students benefiting.
Speaking at the event, Dr Anne Heaslett, Principal of Stranmillis University College said: “CREDIT shares a correlation with the strategic objectives of the Fund and has the potential to make a real and immediate impact for both communities. As participants excel in their careers, the learning from this programme can help establish a foundation for future knowledge-share, collaboration and stronger relationships that will benefit all.”
Professor Peter Finn, Principal of St Mary’s University College said: “The CREDIT Programme strengthens the support for continued professional development in the fields of community relations and community cohesion by developing awareness, skills and confidence in these areas.”
The CREDIT programme is designed to support the development of specific curriculum areas such as Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and Local and Global Citizenship. The courses will also address the key issues which have risen to greater prominence in recent years in relation to diversity and inclusion.