Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
Minister, quite often, those buildings could be put to really good use for local communities. I have engaged with your Department, albeit through the EA, on a number of examples. It is a sad reflection on the EA that, sometimes, the length of time taken means that those buildings fall into significant disrepair. Does…
I absolutely believe that, where there is no longer an educational purpose, which is the starting point for any surplus buildings, they should be disposed of. That process includes, before putting such sites on the open private market, highlighting their availability to other Departments. If there were a need for…
The Minister said that his Department does not directly own any land or buildings that are surplus to requirement, but will he outline to the House whether he supports land or buildings that are no longer required for educational purposes being utilised to tackle our social and affordable housing crisis?
My Department does not own any surplus sites, but the Education Authority owns 10 sites that have been declared surplus to requirement. They are planned for disposal within this financial year and the 2026-27 financial year.
That is certainly something that I would be supportive of, but the starting point has to be addressing the inequality that exists. There is not equity for controlled schools; it is suboptimal. Those are not my words; they are the words of the independent review of education, which was informed by principals in…
I declare an interest as a governor of a controlled primary school. Will the Minister confirm whether he will, in this mandate, start progress towards the establishment of a single management authority for all schools in the system in Northern Ireland, as recommended by the independent review of education?
This is the start of a process of providing the support to the controlled sector that has been absent for many years. The first phase is the establishment of the controlled sector unit within the Education Authority. The second phase is to introduce legislation in the Assembly to allow for the provision of a managing…
I thank the Minister for his answer and ongoing support for controlled schools across Northern Ireland. Does the Minister believe that the new controlled schools unit will deliver greater equity for the 150,000 children in those schools?
I am able to confirm that work to create a new controlled schools unit (CSU) within the Education Authority is under way. It is anticipated that the unit will be operational for September of this year — the start of the new school year.
It is an area that I know that the Education Authority takes seriously. I have outlined in detail the level of support and resources that are being made available by CCEA. When it comes to collecting data and information, it is area on which we need more information; I do not believe that we have sufficient…
I thank the Minister for that answer. I hope that he agrees that there is a lack of services. There is no NHS-funded centre for endometriosis treatment despite the efforts that have been made by campaigners. Do the Department, the EA or schools have a database on the number of days that are missed by people suffering…
I recognise that this is an important health issue that is clearly of concern to many young women and that should be dealt with in a respectful and inclusive manner. Well-being and health are core to the Northern Ireland curriculum, which aims to: "empower young people to achieve their potential and to make informed…
It is a hugely important area and one that lacks data. From census figures, we know the number of young people who have anaphylaxis, for example, but that is not properly captured in the education data. Schools, particularly through their catering services, ensure that meals and menus, for example, are screened for…
My Department is progressing an update to the guidance on supporting pupils with medication needs in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Education Authority. Officials have met parents and organisations representing pupils with allergies, including Food Allergy NI and the Benedict Blythe Foundation.…
I thank the Member for that question. Industrial action has had a varied impact on conducting assessment in the context of the interim arrangements for the 2024-25 academic year. However, given that assessment is a statutory requirement and should be an integral element of teaching and learning, it was still…
I thank the Minister for his very full answer. What level of participation did this year's statutory assessment have, given that industrial action and the Department's decision came after teacher-directed time budgets had already been agreed?
Earlier this week, I was pleased to launch an independent review of assessment. The panel is chaired by Tim Oates CBE, former director at Cambridge Assessment, who sits on it alongside Garry Matthewson, the former principal of Holy Family Primary School, and Dr Mick Walker, former director of the Qualifications and…
The scheme is applicable to every sector. The amount of funding that is being allocated to the curriculum-led capital investment programme is limited. It is in the region of £10 million. There are other capital works planned, including for major new builds, school enhancement programmes and minor works, all of which…
Minister, can you clarify how the curriculum-led capital investment programme will address some of the long-standing infrastructure inequalities among sectors, especially in Irish-medium schools, which have failed to achieve enough capital investment despite growing enrolment and demand?
The Member rightly points out the need when it comes to 120 minutes — two hours — of PE. Unfortunately, there are many examples of schools not meeting the required two hours that we want them to provide. Part of the reason for that has been the lack of facilities. When we were choosing which part of the curriculum to…
Only 8% of primary-school pupils and 20% of post-primary-school pupils receive the recommended 120 minutes of PE a week. What difference will the curriculum-led capital investment programme have on those figures?
I thank the Member for that question. He has been an advocate of investment in schools in the East Londonderry constituency that I hope will be able to avail themselves of funding from the capital investment programme. Currently, there is work being done with colleagues in the EA and in Construction and Procurement…
The purpose of the programme is to target investment in priority areas that will support and enhance the delivery of the Northern Ireland curriculum. The programme's initial focus in 2024-25 has been the refresh of desktop computer equipment in post-primary and special schools, with expenditure of £5·9 million, and…