All of Mr Paul Givan’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
As Minister of Education, I say that sport is a huge part of what happens in our schools. Many competitions are run during the school year. For example, Kilkeel High School won the High School Cup treble in hockey — the first time that that has happened — with its girls' under-14, under-16 and under-18 teams each…
Today, I am delighted to launch TransformED NI, my Department's new strategy for transforming teaching and learning. Last summer, writing for the Belfast 'News Letter', under the heading "Paul Givan: Change is coming to ensure Northern Ireland has a truly world class education system", I set out my ambitious intention…
My colleague the Minister for Communities is unavailable at present. Therefore, I answer the question on his behalf. Minister Lyons's Department has noted the findings of the court, and officials are considering them in detail. He has noted that the case brought against him as Minister for Communities was dismissed,…
I do not have the precise figures for the Member right now, but I will get them. I know that they were released in a question for written answer to her colleague Michelle Guy. There has been a significant decrease in the number of individuals who have not had their safeguarding paperwork carried out. The Member can be…
I know that some schools in Northern Ireland have, for example, incorporated elements of the Michaela approach. So, yes, you can disseminate that best practice. Importantly, the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) has a key role to play in Northern Ireland when it comes to identifying best practice and sharing…
It is always important to reflect on not only the expertise that exists in our country — there is expertise — but what is happening in other areas. I had the opportunity to visit a number of different schools, one of which was the Michaela Community School in London. The principal there is heralded as the strictest…
I am happy to take up the case that the Member has brought to my attention. I have engaged directly with the Department for Infrastructure on behalf of some other schools. I am sure that the Minister for that Department is listening and will want to respond. I certainly will ask my officials to engage with the Member…
The Member highlights a challenge due to speeding motorists that, unfortunately, is not unique to Fivemiletown Primary School. I appeal to those who are driving past schools to slow down and take their environment into account. Often, road safety measures are only as good as the individual behind the wheel of the car.…
It is a challenge that I have. Colleagues around the Executive table all have challenges, but, in Education, they are particularly acute. The latest assessment of the draft Budget for my Department indicates an inescapable resource pressure totalling £261 million. The £261 million shortfall means that the Department…
I thank the Member for that question because it raises the important issue of the financial needs that we have, and I have spoken about those already. The challenges that we are facing in the current financial year are difficult. We are facing an overspend but are working incredibly hard with the Education Authority…
When I look at the issue, I ask myself how we can support children and young people who are coming through the education system. I have been in schools that demonstrate to me how, as they create those post-19 pathways, they work with the Department for the Economy and, in some cases, Health to make the transition…
I thank the Member for raising that matter. I will attend and speak at an event on Wednesday evening in the Long Gallery. I met Alma, Caleb's mum, and I absolutely understand her concerns. They speak to the need for many of our Departments, including Education, Economy and Health, to work together on the issue so…
As we take forward the review of the curriculum, one of the areas that I want to build on primarily is a review of literacy and numeracy. Those are the two key areas of any education system that provide the basic building blocks. Unless you are proficient in literacy, you will not be able to read your history or…
I assure the Member that, while curriculum review may not be in the Programme for Government, I am taking it forward. I did not have to wait for a Programme for Government to be agreed in order to get on with a huge amount of work in my Department. The review of the curriculum is an important piece of work. Everyone…
OK. I am happy to look at that issue. I am meeting one of the Irish language groups in the next half hour or so. That may well form part of that conversation. I have indicated that I very much want to support all of our sectors. When I have visited schools that provide education through the medium of Irish, I have…
Yes. I very much agree with the Member about the importance of that work. That is why I outlined in detail the reasons why it is important to support it. The Ulster-Scots Agency does good work in that area. It is, though, an arm's-length body of a different Department, and I know that having support to carry out its…
First, I appreciate the many benefits of our young people learning about the Ulster-Scots culture and language in our schools, including through the means of musical instrument tuition. When it comes to the benefits of instrument tuition more generally, music is a statutory requirement of the Northern Ireland…
I am happy to look at the issue that the Member has raised. Procedures are in place in the EA for maintenance works that need to be carried out. It has a help desk, and there is a way to contact it. I am happy to look at the particular issue that the Member has raised and provide that information to him.
It is important that people have confidence. The Northern Ireland Office carried out work regarding its view on the minor works projects. When that report was compiled, it provided some assurances in that respect. The Committee has looked at a particular issue. When we carry out a review, it is important that it is…
The Member highlights a real challenge. At least 60% of our schools are in a deficit position, but that indicates that there are schools in a surplus position. It is always worth looking at the underlying reasons for how things stand and at how the common funding formula is pulled together when it comes to the…
The Education Authority is in the latter stages of procuring the new term service contracts for maintenance and minor works. Two contracts have been awarded, with a planned commencement date of 1 April, and the other four are well under way. It is anticipated that the new contracts will be implemented across Northern…
The Member answers his own question by mentioning the financial resources that are needed. I have been in post for a year, but I have not been able to put out a call for major capital funding to attract people to make an application, because there are so many schools in the pipeline, and those are not being delivered.…
I thank the Member for his question. Other colleagues have raised similar concerns. I have discussed the matter with my officials today. I have not taken any decision to end the work taking place on school enhancement projects. My officials are urgently engaging with the Education Authority to find out why it has…
I very much look forward to visiting the school. I have now visited well in excess of 150 schools across Northern Ireland. Dundonald High School, like many other schools, is rightly asking — indeed, demanding — that we, as elected representatives, support it. I want to support all the schools across Northern Ireland,…
I thank the Member for the question. There are currently no plans for a new school build for Dundonald High School. The Education Authority's minor works team has advised that additional accommodation provision was completed at the school in September 2021, which was achieved through the refurbishment and…