Minister extends school initiative

The Minister for Education and Science, Dr Woods, yesterday announced he was extending the 8-to-15 Early School Leaver Initiative until August 2002. It is also expected the programme cost will grow from £2.3 million this year to £6.5 million in 2001 and £7.1 million in 2002. Established in 1998, the initiative supports 17 projects in 14 areas. Dr Woods said there was considerable evidence to show that the most effective way of addressing educational disadvantage was through an integrated services approach.