Debate contribution: Schools: Resilience and Self-worth

Debate contribution by Ms Cara Hunter on 18 November 2025.

MLA: Ms Cara Hunter
Party at the time: Social Democratic and Labour Party
Date: 18 November 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Schools: Resilience and Self-worth
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5244295

Text

We do not agree on much, Minister, but I am glad that we agree that smartphones do not belong in schools, so I welcome that. Referring to my initial point about instilling confidence in young people, there are school projects in the South that teach 11- to 17-year-olds how to be critical about media influence and build self-resilience and self-worth. In the North, there is nothing mandatory on the curriculum on that issue. There is no class or compulsory module for every school to provide that education. Does that concern you, and, if so, will you consider changing that, reviewing that or looking at it further?

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 1791/22-27.

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