AQW 12347/17-22
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 30/12/2020
Answered On Date: 18/01/2021
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education what exemptions from COVID-19 regulations have been given to the the arm's-length bodies managed by his Department, namely the Education Authority and CCMS, that allows schools under their authority to permit hire of premises for mass gatherings arranged by AQE and PPTC during January 2021.
Answer:
The transfer tests are a private arrangement between the test providers and the host schools. The host schools which operate as test centres are required to comply fully with Health Protection legislation; this includes ensuring statutory risk assessments are carried out and that all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, including implementing the preventive and protective measures identified in those risk assessments are taken. The legislation, not the Department, provides exemptions to the general prohibition on gatherings of more than fifteen people for specified purposes including educational purposes. You will aware of the announcement made by AQE Ltd on 13 January to cancel its assessment which had been scheduled for 27 February citing uncertainties surrounding the easing of coronavirus restrictions. You will appreciate that this will come as a huge disappointment to many pupils and parents who have worked hard to prepare for the tests in the hope of getting into a school of their choice. In view of that announcement the issue of risk assessments no longer arises.
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