AQW 36996/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 08/12/2025
Answered On Date: 16/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail how the Independent Review of Teacher Workload final report's recommendation regarding controlled assessment will inform any decisions regarding the future of CCEA qualifications, particularly the future of controlled assessments.

Answer:

I am committed to addressing the issue of teacher and school leader workload. I want to ensure that teachers can focus on what matters most – teaching, learning and supporting pupils in the classroom. That is why I established an independent panel to review this issue.

The Independent Review of Teacher Workload report was only published on 1 December 2025. My officials and I will require some time to carefully consider the recommendations, including the recommendation in relation to controlled assessment, before we can provide a detailed response on the way forward.

We will be engaging with teaching unions as part of this process.