AQW 33982/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/10/2025
Answered On Date: 27/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 33273/22-27, to detail the reason he did not engage, or consult with, employers on changes to how Level 2 Essential Skills qualifications are measured.

Answer:

The consultation related to proposed changes to how qualifications are counted for school system level performance measures. The consultation was not specifically about Essential Skills; it related to how qualifications with different guided learning hours, levels and grading scales are measured and combined for the purpose of developing school performance measures. None of the proposals changed the specification or assessment requirements of qualifications which would require wider engagement.

As the changes related to school performance measures, engagement was with school leaders and their TUS representatives. We also advised the Education Committee of the content and scope of the consultation.