Debate contribution: Academic Selection

Debate contribution by Miss Deirdre Hargey on 27 April 2026.

MLA: Miss Deirdre Hargey
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 27 April 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Academic Selection
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5508545

Text

I think that the Minister's answer to my question is no. He mentioned trying to impact on working-class children, and I agree. I still live in a working-class community and can see the damage. The reviewer whom the Minister selected to carry out the curriculum review, Lucy Crehan, said at a recent meeting of the Education Committee that academic selection distorts the curriculum in primary schools. Taking on board what the reviewer said, what changes will the Minister make to look at that? The situation is damaging, particularly to working-class children.

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

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Topical question AQT 2282/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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