For immediate release:

MSP WELCOMES EU FUNDING FOR BLANTYRE SCHOOL

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed recent news that Calderside Academy has been awarded €2,165 from Erasmus+ European Union funding for language training.

The Erasmus+ programme offers opportunities for UK participants to study, work, volunteer, teach and train abroad, and schools are eligible to apply to a number of different funding streams provided by it.

Figures for 2017 show that Scotland’s share of the Erasmus+ EU funding is up by nearly €5m since last year – meaning a total of €21m will be shared by 159 Scottish organisations, including €11.4m for Scotland’s universities and €2.3m for schools. Overall, the figures for 2017 mean that, at the halfway stage of the current Erasmus+ programme, Scotland has benefitted from €60m of funding across 700 individual projects since 2014.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“The Erasmus programme has been hugely beneficial to our students and education sector over the years.

“Languages are a great skill for our young people to have, as they enhance communication skills and confidence, and they can provide a whole range of different opportunities.

“With Brexit looming, it is absolutely vital that the UK Government commits to protecting our relationship with the Erasmus programme so that our children and young people are not denied the tremendous benefits it brings.”

ENDS

Notes:

Attached is a letter from the British Council to Clare Haughey MSP regarding the funding to Calderside Academy.

Published: 15th November 2017