Debate contribution: Schools: Temporary Variation Policy

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 6 October 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 6 October 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Schools: Temporary Variation Policy
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5776922

Text

Mrs Cameron is absolutely right. It goes to the heart of why I am seeking to make the change that I want to make and why there is now a consultation process under way. The core principle should be parental preference. I have highlighted a number of caveats, albeit in a limited form. For example, there should not be an increase in intake if that will displace provision for children with special educational needs. Where capacity exists, however, and a school is willing and able to accommodate additional pupils safely, greater weight needs to be given to facilitating parental choice. Ultimately, we ought not to be about sustaining education structures and frameworks, but they ought to comply with parental preference and choice. The frameworks and schools need to meet the needs of parents who express that preference. Notwithstanding the caveats that I outlined, where schools in which places are being sought have capacity, we should give greater weight to parental preference.

161 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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