Givan Urges Rethink on Summer School Cancellations

0:00This has been Europe News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey, with the story. Education Minister Paul Javan has asked the Education Authority to rethink canceling summer schemes at special schools in Northern Ireland. The Authority pulled the plug due to a lack of nursing support from the Department of Health, citing safety concerns for kids with complex needs. The Authority tried engaging with health officials multiple times to avoid this, but got no support. After a Friday meeting, Jivan urged them to talk again and explore every option to run the schemes if nurses become available. Families are furious, describing the decision as heartbreaking and leaving them without vital respite. Lawmakers from various parties slammed it as unacceptable, especially timed right before Easter break. Alliance tabled a motion to recall the assembly from recess, needing 30 member support with Sin Fine and others already backing it. They want ministers to explain and fix the coordination failure between departments. Health Minister Mike Nezbit called it unthinkable for kids to miss out and tasked officials to

1:04find quick alternatives. With more talks underway between education leaders, health experts, and schools, hope remains for summer support to have and after all.