UP to 300 new teaching posts are to be created as part of a drive to help disadvantaged children catch up with learning lost during lockdown.
Education minister Peter Weir is expected today to finalise details of the £11.2 million Engage programme.
First announced in the summer, the scheme is aimed at reversing any negative impact of Covid-19 on pupils' learning.
Schools were closed in March and most education instead took place remotely or online for the remainder of the academic year.
Experts had warned that the achievement gap between 'rich and poor' children was at risk of widening when schools were shut.
There was plenty of evidence, academics said, on the negative effects on educational opportunities for the most disadvantaged.
These children were less likely to live in households where there were the type of computer facilities and access that allowed them to engage with online support, it was claimed.
In addition, the parents of pupils in less advantaged circumstances were not as likely to see themselves as having the confidence, ability or resources to support their child's learning at home.
Poorer families were also more likely to suffer uncertainties due to poverty, food insecurity, financial worries and cramped conditions.
Now, fresh ring-fenced funding will enable all primary and post-primary schools to provide additional teaching support for pupils who need it most.
While the scheme will be open to all schools, there will be a particular focus on those who educate young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
The amount of money available will vary depending on school size and the proportion of pupils entitled to free school meals.
In June, Mr Weir said Engage would provide both literacy and numeracy support and mental health interventions.
There is expected to be a degree of flexibility afforded to schools in how they can use the money.
The initial £11.2m will cover the period from now until the end of the financial year in March 2021.
It is hoped that further money will be found from the 2021/22 budget to extend the scheme further - until at least the summer.
The investment means that schools can offer fixed-term contracts to substitute teachers. It is thought as many as 300 teachers will benefit.
The roll-out of Engage follows another significant intervention, the widening of nurture support for the 2020/21 academic year for primary and post-primary schools in socially deprived areas.
Up to £4m is to be invested in 15 new and 31 existing nurture groups.
These provide early intervention to address barriers to learning arising from social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.
These include, for example, withdrawn, depressive or suicidal attitudes; disruptive, antisocial and uncooperative behaviour; school phobia; and frustration, anger and threat of or actual violence.
A new Nurture Advisory Service is also to be established within the Education Authority.
