Children from two North Belfast primary schools today (Thursday) took the chance to show two government ministers their work with children in the developing world.
Pupils from Holy Family Primary and Hazelwood Primary showed Alan Duncan, International Development Minister, and Hugo Swire, NIO Minister, projects they have been working on as part of a school-linking programme with children in Uganda and Sri Lanka.
The link-up is part of the Global Schools Partnership which supports twinning arrangements between schools in the developing world.
The pupils showed the ministers how they exchange letters and videos and how that exposure to different cultures, languages and games has benefited them.
Holy Family Principal Dinah McManus said the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the visit from the ministers and they took the opportunity to tell them about the links they have to schools around the world.
“It is great for us to have the work that we have done with schools around the world recognised and it is a tribute to the staff and pupils,” she said.
“Holy Family is linked to a school in Uganda through the Global Schools Partnership Programme and that has been a great experience for our kids. They have really learnt how lucky they are with the facilities they have. And those experiences are important because we want our children to have aspirations and dreams that one day they may be working in Germany, Spain or Uganda.”
Alan Duncan, Minister of State for International Development, said he was extremely impressed with the work of the pupils.
“Their knowledge and enthusiasm really stood out when we were discussing their friendships with their peers in Uganda and Sri Lanka.”
