CCEA and the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland launch ‘Ready to Vote?’

Developed jointly by CCEA and the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland, the ‘Ready to Vote?’ resources aim to encourage students (aged 11 – 16) to think about how and where decisions are made, the election process, registering to vote and how they can be active citizens.

Margaret Farragher, CCEA’s interim Chief Executive commented:

CCEA were delighted to work jointly with Electoral Office NI in developing the ‘Ready to Vote?’ resources for our teachers and students. The resources include a combination of presentations and interactive activities, allowing students the opportunity to develop and enhance skills such as communication, problem-solving and collaboration with others. As well as helping to build on a range of skills and capabilities for students, the ‘Ready to Vote?’ resources align to areas within the Northern Ireland Curriculum such as Learning for Life and Work and Local and Global Citizenship.

Virginia McVea, Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, said:

As part of the NI Canvass 2021, which opens on 1 July 2021, our joint project with CCEA means that young people in Northern Ireland will feel more informed about the voting system. From an early age, within the classroom, they will learn how they register to vote, why it matters and the way the system works, so that they feel more involved. Through this project and our new capacity to analyse the data and share with schools throughout each year the percentage of their pupils who have registered, education and electoral services can work better together to support young people and our democracy.