STORMONT'S education committee is asking for people to give their views on new proposals for CPR training to form part of the curriculum in Northern Ireland.
The proposals were brought forward in a Private Members’ Bill by SDLP assembly member Colin McGrath earlier this month and if passed, the new legislation will mean mandatory CPR training and automatic external defibrillator (AED) awareness will be included in the curriculum for all Key Stage 3 pupils.
The Assembly’s Education Committee yesterday launched its 'Call for Views' with members also keen to explore the possibility of extending the proposals to include mandatory refresher training on a periodic basis.
Committee chairperson Chris Lyttle said: "It is crucial that our local children and young people, in line with their counterparts in other regions of the UK, are equipped throughout their educational journey, with a blend of practical skills and knowledge.
"In this instance, not only will this particular training serve to enhance their overall learning experience, it could also be key to them acquiring the skills necessary to save lives in the future."
Mr Lyttle said the bill had "already gained strong support from consultation exercises carried out by Mr McGrath in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission and Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, which have highlighted that 94 per cent of respondents believe that CPR training should be compulsory in schools".
"As a committee we would hope that, as well as providing vital CPR and AED training, this legislation will serve to inform and inspire our young people towards inventing new methods to enhance life-saving techniques in the future," he added.
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