AQW 32149/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/09/2025
Answered On Date: 03/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education whether he intends to introduce guidance, similar to that recently introduced in England, regarding a minimum learning requirement on grief and bereavement for primary and post-primary schools.

Answer:

Schools in Northern Ireland currently have a duty to address grief and bereavement through the statutory curriculum. In primary schools, pupils explore feelings and emotions, including grief, under Personal Development and Mutual Understanding. In post-primary education, Learning for Life and Work (LLW) includes strategies for coping with grief and loss.

The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment provides a range of teaching resources that support the delivery of grief, loss, and bereavement education across key stages. These resources are designed to ensure that schools are well-equipped to support pupils during such experiences.

The Curriculum Taskforce will consider how best to develop the core components of a reformed PDMU and LLW, including Citizenship, Employability and Personal Development, to ensure clear progression throughout each key stage. A key priority is ensuring the curriculum is coherent and manageable. It is essential to avoid curriculum overload and strike an appropriate balance between breadth and depth.