Paul Givan
Lagan Valley · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“The EA's enhanced support model has been out for consultation. The Member's party is the largest political grouping on the Education Authority, so his party supported the model's being consulted on.”
“Protections around strike action and action short of strike are firmly established in statute for all workers, including teachers. If the Member is referring to the Education Inspections Bill, let me be clear: nothing in that legislation removes or undermines that right.”
“The issue was covered at length at the Education Committee. The position is still not where it ought to be. When I came into office, the position that I inherited was much worse than it is today.”
“It is an area that I have had to navigate, as have many previous Education Ministers. Industrial relations is an area that needs ongoing work. I have outlined how we can address it, but I come back to saying that, when workload was undefined, trade unions struggled to specify the challenge.”
“That is not a fair characterisation. In fact, I was with Justin McCamphill, the leader of NASUWT, at the launch of the curriculum reform, at which he commended me for it and said that he thought that it was good. I have sat in many a meeting with trade union representatives during which they have said, "This is a good initiative.”
“That is exactly why there is a 16-week consultation period, rather than the normal 12 weeks or the minimum eight weeks; to allow the public and teaching profession to very much engage in that curriculum, which I commend to all Members.”
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“Therefore, in September last year, I established a controlled schools task force to provide a model for a dedicated managing authority for controlled schools, alongside the identification of key performance issues and required improvements for controlled schools under the current model. That is a welcome development, and one that is long overdue. Other sectors have their own stand-alone managing authority. The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), for example, provides that support to the Catholic maintained sector. The controlled schools do not get the same treatment when it comes to equity, and they do not get the same services. The controlled sector is a diverse group of schools across Northern Ireland, including nursery schools, special schools and Irish-medium schools, and it requires better support than it has received.”
“It outlined the perception of controlled school leaders:”
“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 authority for controlled schools. I have issued Executive colleagues with an Executive paper on that for their consideration. <BR /> <BR />The basis upon which that is considered to be necessary and required is very much grounded in the independent review of education. That report highlighted:”
“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 information. However, we are working towards providing better support in the area so that we can deal with the issues more effectively than they have been dealt with to date.”
“<BR /> <BR />CCEA has published a number of resources for primary, post-primary and SEN pupils on period dignity and menstrual well-being that are available to download on the period dignity hub. There are accompanying films and posters for primary and post- primary pupils on period dignity and menstrual well-being. On endometriosis specifically, unit 5 in the post-primary suite of resources covers endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It can be accessed via the CCEA website.”
“The Northern Ireland statutory curriculum statements of minimum entitlement ensures that schools are able to respond to important updates in health messaging and priorities by adapting and including resources to best meet the needs of their learners. My Department is committed to supporting the development of young people's health literacy, including the understanding of menstrual conditions, in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner. Endometriosis falls under the umbrella of period dignity, and from Key Stage 2, which is ages 8 to 11 onwards, all pupils should be learning age-appropriate and accurate scientific facts about periods and be having open conversations about them. That can help to break common taboos about periods, prevent stigma and reduce negative perceptions and behaviours.”
“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:”
“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 allergen content before being used. Obviously, when it comes to the various special dietary needs, when catering staff in the Education Authority and schools consider their policies, they take them very seriously. We are doing an important piece of work to update the current procedures to make sure that the right support is made available.”
“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. The information that is shared at those meetings is being considered as part of the review of the current guidance.”
“The participation was on a much more significant and higher level than we anticipated, which was a demonstration of a willingness in our education profession to move forward as we emerge from that long and protracted period of industrial action.”
“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 reasonable to ask teachers to comply. The information that the schools returned for this year will be extremely useful for comparing the teacher-assessed outcomes this year with the outcomes of next year's system-level sample assessment. <BR /> <BR />I put on record my thanks to those schools that participated.”
“The new system-level sample assessments will evaluate pupils' literacy and numeracy at the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. The assessments will be developed and delivered by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). They will provide insights into learning outcomes across the education system and play a vital role in shaping educational policies and interventions. The assessments will be taken by a sample of pupils and will be used to identify national trends in education performance.”
“The review will look at best practice within and beyond the United Kingdom and undertake a strategic assessment of current arrangements, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, in order to make detailed proposals about the future purpose, nature and design of assessment in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The review is a vital step towards having an evidence-informed, world-class education system in Northern Ireland that is excellent, equitable and responsive to the needs of all our young people. While the review is being carried out, it is important to have consistent and reliable interim arrangements. Therefore, on 19 March, I announced interim arrangements for statutory Key Stage assessment for the three-year period from the 2025-26 academic year.”
“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 Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA). <BR /> <BR />It is critical to ensure that our assessment system is fair, reliable and aligned with international best practice, providing clear insights into student outcomes. The review will examine assessment throughout primary school and at Key Stage 3 and will engage with education stakeholders across Northern Ireland over the coming months.”
“I will continue to apply that approach in future.”
“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 continue to face significant demands, with a lack of resource to meet the need that I want to see met. The curriculum-led capital investment programme is designed to place a specific focus on that element of the curriculum. It will be available to all schools to make an application. One of the Irish-medium schools that I was able to take forward was Scoil an Droichid in south Belfast. It was one of the seven schools that I announced for a new build in order to meet its particular needs.”
“That is why there is a focus on that particular aspect of the curriculum-led capital investment programme.”
“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 prioritise — for example, a case could have been made for home economics equipment or science labs — why did we choose to provide synthetic pitches, sports halls and covered outdoor play areas? We chose that area because we identified a lack of provision right across Northern Ireland. Rolling out that programme will undoubtedly enable schools to have the kinds of facilities that they need to enrich their PE offering. I want to drive up the number of schools that are reaching the two-hour target.”
“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 Delivery (CPD) on selection, procurement and delivery of the initial tranche of pitches. Seventy-one post-primary schools had been identified as not having a synthetic pitch. Although the capital budget that I have will not permit me to address the need at all 71 at the one time, my officials are working to group the identified schools into tranches. That will ensure that the need is addressed in a managed way over a number of financial years within the capital budget that is available to me.”
“It received 125 responses and identified 31 schools without a sports hall and 71 without a synthetic pitch. My officials are working on the selection, procurement and delivery of an initial tranche of pitches and on the selection of an initial tranche of sports halls to advance to planning. <BR /> <BR />With regard to the pilot exercise for covered sports, my officials are working with professional colleagues on the range of provision that is available and will move shortly to a call to primary schools for nominations for inclusion in the initial pilot programme at 20 schools.”
“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 provision of outdoor play equipment and resources at all preschool, nursery and primary schools, with, to date, expenditure of £2·4 million. Procurement has also been completed for the provision of defibrillators to all schools in Northern Ireland that are currently without them. I expect roll-out of those to commence in the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />In regard to physical education provision, under the programme, a survey was undertaken of post-primary schools.”
“A response on that matter will issue to the Member today. I absolutely understand the dilemma that Tiny Tots is in. In that particular situation, however, it is not a legal obligation on the Department of Education to provide support for preschool provision in that respect. I suggest that the Member engage with the Education Authority (EA) and seek its support, if there is an opportunity for it to intervene, because preschool provision is important, and working with the providers is an important role that the Education Authority has. I direct the Member there.”
“As we make progress through the stages for Tandragee Junior High School, it is important that we continue to provide support through ongoing maintenance works, and that is what we intend to do.”
“I thank the Member for that question. He has advocated for Tandragee Junior High School and other schools in his constituency, and I will meet him later in respect of Markethill High School, for which he has been an advocate of work and support. <BR /> <BR />The fact that we are moving towards bringing the business case phase to a conclusion is progress, but, as the Member understands, we still need to progress through a number of stages to the point at which the works will be subject to capital funding being made available. In the interim, we will continue to support Tandragee Junior High School. Since April 2022, we have responded to 177 tasks and spent around £55,000. We will take forward 19 planned tasks, with the work that we will provide to the school estimated to be worth in the region of £150,000.”
“A technical feasibility report has been completed by the integrated consultant team that has identified options and costs to provide suitable accommodation for Tandragee Junior High School. A review of the options identified in the report was completed by the Department’s technical advisers in September last year. A business case to identify the preferred option to be taken forward in design is being drafted.”
“I thank the Member for that question. Obviously, a number of schools were announced that we were taking forward with regard to construction. Sorry, I just do not have the particular information to hand. <BR /> <BR />Millennium Integrated Primary School is one where the construction contract has been entered into, and works are expected to commence next month on that school. We moved forward with Millennium Integrated. I know that other schools were part of that Fresh Start funding, and I was able to provide them with assurances that they are part of my overall departmental capital programme, which has allowed them to continue to progress. In particular, in the Member's constituency, I was able to move forward on Millennium Integrated Primary School, and construction will commence imminently.”
“I thank Mr Dunne for his question. He has advocated investment in that school and other schools in North Down. As part of the announcement to take forward the new build, officials identified a steady decline in pupil numbers that was more in line with a 17-class enrolment band rather than the 22-class school that had been approved. Having engaged with the school, we identified the best way forward to rightsize the school on the basis of the need in the community, and that is to deliver a 17-class primary school. However, we will include the provision of four classrooms for pupils with special educational needs (SEN), as there is a need for SEN accommodation. Therefore, the school can go ahead as planned but with the adaption to accommodate children with special educational needs. I know that the Member will welcome that.”
“I understand that, in every new build, there could be implications for neighbouring schools. We have been carrying out significant investment in the North Down area. Crawfordsburn Primary School is another one for major construction works, which are due to commence next month. There are school enhancement programmes as well and minor works programmes that we want to take forward. All of those are there to try and improve the school estate. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, supporting all schools is what I want to do as Minister, but it is a good news story that we can move forward with the new build at Bangor Central Integrated Primary School. It is where I went to announce a series of major new builds. There have been some issues that we had to look at, but we are now able to make progress.”
“On 23 May 2025, Ards and North Down Borough Council accepted proposals to treat amendments to facilitate the inclusion of enhanced learning support provision at the school as a non-material change to the existing planning permission. Therefore, it is anticipated that construction will commence in early 2026. However, that will be dependent on the relevant approvals being obtained.”
“The protection of our children and young people, as they engage with the internet technology and extend their connections into the virtual world, is paramount. As Minister, I will continue to do all that I can to keep our children and young people safe and enable them to thrive emotionally, socially and academically.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to stress however that, while schools have an important role to play, we must be careful not to suggest that they can be the sole agents of change. A whole-community approach to keeping children safe online must be accompanied by a broader, cross-departmental and wider societal approach, one that recognises the role that we all play as social guardians for our children and young people. <BR /> <BR />Again I draw Members' attention to the underpinning thread throughout the original motion and the amendments: it is one of doing all that we can across government to protect and keep our children and young people safe from the dangers of the online world while preparing them for a future in which the internet and emergent technologies will be fully intertwined.”
“Mr Butler and Mr Mathison are keen to come in, but I want to conclude in the next two minutes. <BR /> <BR />Recently, as Members know, I launched an ambitious programme of education reform that is outlined in the TransformED Northern Ireland strategy and delivery plan. My plans for curriculum reform and a Department-led vision for teacher training and professional learning will enable a refreshed approach to the preventative element of the curriculum and will help to develop an empowered educational workforce that is able to confidently deliver key messages and impart knowledge to our children and young people around keeping safe online and understanding healthy relationships.”
“It is important to build on the success of the app and work to ensure that all schools have coverage by June 2026. <BR /> <BR />The motion also calls on the Minister of Justice to ensure that funding for the PSNI's child protection team is adequately prioritised as part of any increase in police workforce planning. I know that the Minister for Justice, like me, will want to support the police in this.”
“Any additional funding will require the Executive to agree that it is a priority and provide the additional resources accordingly. <BR /> <BR />I said that I was delighted to visit the headquarters of the Safer Schools NI app at Ineqe in Belfast this morning, where I advised of my decision to support further investment in online safety through the continuation of the contract for the incoming academic year. Through the investment in the Safer Schools app, we now have coverage across 85% of our schools, delivering quality-assured safeguarding information, advice and guidance that can be tailored to suit the individual needs of the school community. That unique partnership enables us to respond to any emergent issue and to be confident in the guidance that we share with schools.”
“We need to take action in our school settings, rather than having a ban on paper, which is not effective unless we help schools to implement it. <BR /> <BR />Readiness to learn is vital, and the emotional well-being of our children and young people is key. Both amendments highlight the requirement for investment to support pupil well-being, and that requires work across Executive Departments. I am pleased that the Minister of Health and I have continued to support initiatives delivered as part of the joint emotional health and well-being framework in schools for the 2025-26 academic year, in the face of challenging budgetary positions for both Departments. Around £10 million will be invested to support pupil well-being.”
“If they have better solutions that will effectively limit the use of mobile phones and are cost-free, I am all ears. However, the evidence has shown that we need to do more than just publish, as I have done, a circular to say that you are not to use mobile phones during the school day. School leaders say that they need more support to do that, hence the pilot scheme. I commend 'The Anxious Generation' by Professor Jonathan Haidt, which was handed to me by Rosalind, whom Mr Martin referenced. She is heavily involved in a smartphone-free school campaign, and those who read Professor Haidt's substantial book will come away convinced of the necessity to tackle the issue and the harm that the devices cause.”
“I will make some more progress. <BR /> <BR />When taking forward these things, it is important to look at the evidence. Many countries are taking steps to stop phone use at school. It was for that reason that I developed the pilot scheme: it will allow us to test the phone-free day in school. In other jurisdictions where that has been brought in, while school pupils were initially sceptical and against the proposals, many now report that it has been the best thing for them and they feel more able to concentrate on their learning and socialisation during the school day. The findings from the pilot and the evidence from other jurisdictions will be useful in informing my future policy decisions. <BR /> <BR />Members should reflect on that.”
“Is the Alliance Party criticising Victoria College, which pioneered the pouches and went ahead with the pilot scheme because it believed that the evidence was right to do so? When Members want to score a point against me, I say that I have listened to schools and school leaders who have advocated for the scheme and want to be included. Look beyond the individual in office to see if it is something that the sector wants, rather than having a go because it is me. St Ronan's College in Lurgan, which is the biggest school in Northern Ireland, will be part of the pilot scheme and is enthusiastic about it. Members should ask themselves whether, if the school supports it, they are wrong in being critical of it.”
“I will give way in due course. <BR /> <BR />Mr Baker raised a concern about my Education budget: he is right to be concerned. I hope that he will speak to his ministerial colleague who controls the Department of Finance to help to address that. My challenge this year is in our resource budget. Our capital budget is something that I want more of. The mobile phone pilot scheme for pouches has been funded through capital moneys, not resource, which is where the £300 million figure comes from. <BR /> <BR />Michelle Guy criticised me. I commend a lot of what she said, but she also criticised the pilot scheme. Does she criticise the over 50 schools that put their hands up to say, "We believe in this, and we want to be included", including some schools in Lagan Valley?”
“That is not the point that I was addressing, and I want to come to that. Mr Baker made the point about using mobile phone technology for lessons to be delivered in class. That was the point that Mr Baker made and the one that I want to correct.”
“They cost hundreds and hundreds of pounds, and pressure is then put on families, who feel that they need the most modern technology in order to take out their mobile phone to deliver a lesson. We should not be delivering lessons on the basis of the ability of individuals to afford those mobile phone devices. <BR /> <BR />I will give way to Mr Baker.”
“<BR /> <BR />In addressing some of the nuances that are proposed in the amendments, let me stress that evidence about limiting the personal use of mobile phones throughout the school day confirms to me that I am doing what is best in the interests of children and young people in progressing the policy. Ms Hunter outlined what she means by banning smartphones. That is not a ban on people bringing a phone to school then using the phone after school; it is a ban on using the phone in school. That is the right thing to do, and I think that that is what Ms Hunter believes is the right thing to do. <BR /> <BR />I find it interesting that Mr Baker argued that we needed mobile phones to deliver lessons in school. At a time when our families are struggling with the cost of living, how much is a mobile phone?”
“The criminal deterrent is clearly not working, so we need to hit the social media providers in their pockets and not just expect them to do the right thing, because that has clearly not been the case. There is ongoing work that some are pushing for on the need for an accreditation system for websites, and, if they do not get that accreditation, the technology exists to inhibit their ability to generate income through advertising. There is a lot to be commended in that approach. It is being raised elsewhere, but it is an area that I would certainly support.”
“Those are vital safeguards across the online space, and my officials will continue to liaise with Ofcom and other key stakeholders as that work progresses. <BR /> <BR />It is not about only regulation; there perhaps needs to be an enhancement of the regulation. Members commented on the social media companies and the lack of responsibility in the field. This morning — I will come to this shortly — I was visiting the Ineqe Group, one of the companies that have brought forward the Safer Schools app. It highlighted the fact that, if we are really going to get change out of social media companies, we need to be able to target how they derive their income. A total of 98% of Facebook's income, for example, comes from advertising. We have to find a way to create a financial consequence for failure to protect those on social media platforms.”
“There is a key role, as Members have highlighted, for regulation in online safety. I am pleased to have received correspondence from Ofcom about its recently published protection of children codes and guidance, which underpin the Online Safety Act 2023 and its intention to secure a higher level of protection for children online. The measures outlined by Ofcom, once implemented across industry, will mean that children will not normally be able to encounter adult content websites. They should be protected from seeing and being recommended other content that is harmful to them. It will be made easier to complain about harmful content, and the user will have more autonomy over the chats and forums that they join.”
“That highlights the fact that we need to work closely together to support our education staff, alongside parents and carers, by providing them with access to high-quality supporting resources to navigate the online world, given that children and young people are normally ahead of the game in the virtual space.”
“It said that children, young people and their families should work together to find a screen-time balance that works for them; the amount of time spent online will look different for everyone; parents need better support to understand their children's online lives; more needs to be done to protect girls in particular from online harm; children should be involved in creating resources about online safety; and social media companies need to work harder to protect children on their sites.”
“<BR /> <BR />Through the Northern Ireland Executive's online safety strategy and accompanying action plan, the Executive collectively have a clear vision on the issue: all children and young people enjoy the educational, social and economic benefits of the online world and that they are empowered to do so safely, knowledgeably and without fear. The work underpinning the first three-year action plan recently concluded. My officials are working with their colleagues from across Departments to set out a new two-year action plan for work in this area. <BR /> <BR />The Growing Up Online survey, published by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland in October 2023, highlighted five key areas that require focus.”
“That is true for all of us, but it is a particular challenge in education and for parents and carers at home, as we try to strike a balance in keeping our children and young people safe. As we work to progress educational excellence and harness how emergent technologies can support that, we cannot ignore the darker side that can touch the lives of children, young people and educational staff. Young people's access to the online world of chat rooms, social media, websites and other online platforms means that it is more difficult to be aware of the content that they are exposed to or to ensure that the relationships that they form are healthy and safe.”