Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP)

- Hansard -

I am still in shock after being accused of being silent.

I wish to present a petition in the names of my constituents from Ballymena primary school, where my father was educated more than 80 years ago; from Moorfields primary school, where I received the highest vote in my constituency; and from St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s primary school in North Antrim. Some 572 children have signed the petition.

The petition states:

The Petition of teachers and pupils of St. Patrick’s and St. Brigid’s Primary School, Ballymena Primary School and Moorfields Primary School in the constituency of North Antrim,

Declares that the Petitioners believe that the promise made in 2000 to get every child into school by 2015 should be fulfilled; notes that with just three years left before the deadline, a surge of new energy is needed to give 67 million children the chance of an education; further notes that at the start of the race over 110 million children were missing out on school and although by 2008 this had dropped to 75 million, in 2012 the race has stalled; further notes that the number of children out of school has stayed at 67 million for two years; and that this number has fallen by 50 million over the last 10 years, but if we continue at the current rate of progress 48 million children will still be out of school by 2015; and notes that from those currently missing out on an education, one third of the children have a disability, 60% are girls and half of the world’s ‘out of school children’ live in communities where the language used in schools is different from that used at home.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Prime Minister and the UK Government to raise educational provision with other world leaders at forthcoming international meetings and to make suggestions for further action before time runs out on the promise made in 2000 to get every child into school by 2015.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P001119]