First year beginning teachers from the post primary and special education sectors celebrated recently as the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) awarded certificates for the successful completion of their induction year.

Paddy Mackey, WELB Senior Education Officer paid tribute to all of the beginning teachers and commended them on their professionalism and commitment to learning and teaching.

"This is a challenging time for education in Northern Ireland within many areas which is reflected through the current emphasis on the Northern Ireland curriculum training for all teachers within the primary and post-primary sectors. Teachers play a vital role in working and communicating with young people enabling them to develop the confidence and skills to address the needs of the economy and society in the 21st Century."

Mr Mackey said all of the beginning teachers who had advanced through the WELB Induction teacher training programme displayed tremendous personal and social values and continued to address the Northern Ireland Teacher Competencies and Core Values in order to improve their teaching and the quality of pupil learning.