Education Minister Paul Givan announced the RAISE Active Schools Programme. The initiative targets primary schools in 18 RAISE localities. It aims to increase pupil attendance, improve wellbeing and raise achievement through community sports activities.

The programme delivers multisport physical education sessions via four organisations: Irish FA Foundation, Ulster Rugby, Ulster GAA and Ulster Hockey. The Irish FA Foundation leads delivery. It covers 96 primary schools with 10-week blocks alongside regular PE classes.

Up to 9,600 pupils will join structured sports sessions led by professionals. Givan stated the coaching fills gaps in access and builds school capacity.

Francis Brennan, Schools Development Manager at Irish FA Foundation, welcomed the launch. He noted it invests in wellbeing in key communities and provides quality coaching to aid attendance and potential.

The £0.5m scheme forms part of the Department of Education's RAISE Programme. That wider effort receives £20m/€24m from the Shared Island Fund over 2024-2026, with possible extensions.

Schools can submit expressions of interest until 8 May 2026 at noon. Details appear on the Department of Education website.