Education & Skills Blog Archive
Here you will find an archive of Education & Skills Blog articles published before 1 January 2020, divided into their relevant categories.
Education
![Nurture unit at Blackmountain Primary School, Belfast](https://www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Blackmountain-Primary-School-Nurture-Unit-640x478.jpg)
An equal start? Overcoming early disadvantage
Reading Time: 3 minutes How can we ensure that children’s early years lay firm foundations for the future? During the first five years of life children develop at a rapid rate, and their experiences during this period profoundly influence
![Illustration of STEM education word typography: strengthening the STEM ‘artery’ will require a range of approaches](https://www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/STEM-NEW-Image-640x427.jpg)
Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)
Reading Time: 3 minutes How well is the compulsory education system supporting demand for STEM skills in Northern Ireland? Skills development is critical in driving economic growth, and evidence highlights the importance of STEM subjects in contributing to innovation
![Suicide rate per 100,000 persons; Belfast North and Belfast West are the two constituencies with the highest average annual suicide rate](https://www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Suicide-rates-640x452.jpg)
Changes ahead for special educational needs
Reading Time: 3 minutes The growth of special educational needs and the implementation of new legislation point to challenges ahead. There has been a steady increase in the prevalence of special educational needs (SEN) in Northern Ireland over the