Dodds wants universites to return to face-to-face learning

ECONOMY Minister Diane Dodds has said she is working to facilitate a return to face-to-face teaching for students in Northern Ireland in the new academic year.

During the Covid pandemic, campus teaching at Magee and other university sites across the North was suspended for most courses, apart from some subjects where it is regarded as necessary.

During ministerial question time at Stormont on Monday, Mrs Dodds was pressed on what arrangements Northern Ireland universities had made for the return of students later this year.

She said: “It is essential that students are kept informed on teaching arrangements and I have written to our higher institutions in relation to this.

“I have reminded them of their legal responsibility towards students.

“With vaccination now being offered to over-18s, reduced levels of virus transmission and availability of testing I believe that we should be facilitating a return for all students in the new term.

“I have asked Executive colleagues to currently consider the advice and we have agreed an increase in face to face teaching and extra-curricular and student support activities, all to be resumed.”

The minister continued: “As our universities are autonomous institutions, the model and implementation of provision is for them to consider based on the public health advice.

“However, Ulster University and Queen’s University have informed me that they have already written to their students to set out their vision for the new academic year, and I am pleased that both are committed to a return to face to face learning for our students.

“I am hopeful this will see our students regaining the learning and social experience that they deserve.”

SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said: “It is vital we avoid the mistakes of last September.

“Last year students felt ignored for too long.”

Mrs Dodds said: “Throughout last year we put in place financial measures for students which were probably the most generous in the whole of the British Isles.

“I know from personal example how difficult it was for students, how they experienced loneliness and the increase in mental health issues as they went through a year which was literally like no other.”

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