Latest releases
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98 releases
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Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for…
DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces a new Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme for Primary 6 and 7 pupils, with up to £600,000 for schools in 2026/27 and expressions of interest open until 1 October.
Education Issue: Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme launch Original release: Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working…
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed that only benefits named in the outgoing regulations will count for priority in next year's pre-school admissions, ending the reading-in of replacement benefits. He announced this alongside a public consultation on the Socially Disadvantaged…
Education Social security and welfare Issue: Education Minister immediate changes to pre-school Socially Disadvantaged Circumstances criterion Original release: Givan levels playing field in pre-school admissions for hard working… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 1 October 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches enhanced support programme for newly qualified teachers
Education Minister Paul Givan launches an online induction platform and expanded programme offering learning modules, webinars and face-to-face courses for newly qualified teachers in Northern Ireland's schools, covering literacy, numeracy, SEN, behaviour and classroom practice.
Education Issue: Northern Ireland Teacher Induction Online Platform launch Original release: Givan launches enhanced support programme for newly qualified teachers (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 28 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister announces three post-primary school projects to…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan announces that three post-primary school works projects, paused due to budget constraints, will move forward to planning and design. The schools are Belfast High School, Ballyclare High School and St Brigid's College, Londonderry, with capital investment…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: Three post-primary school capital projects advance to planning and design Original release: Education Minister announces three post-primary school projects to… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: A new way forward for integrated education
DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan has published a Position Paper on integrated education to clarify the legal framework after a recent court judgment and transformation applications. It also introduces an Integrated Education Support Programme and plans a community background category.
Education Issue: Integrated education transformation criteria and Court of Appeal ruling debate Original release: Givan: A new way forward for integrated education (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 25 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches consultation on legislating for mobile phone-free…
The DUP reports Education Minister Paul Givan has opened a 12-week consultation on possible legislation to back phone-free schools and issued stronger guidance saying pupils should not routinely have personal devices during the school day, citing a King's College London evaluation of a pilot.
Education Issue: Mobile Phone-Free Schools Pilot evaluation and phone-free schools consultation Original release: Givan launches consultation on legislating for mobile phone-free… (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 12 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Givan launches consultation on new Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028
Education Minister Paul Givan has opened a 16-week public consultation on a proposed Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028, setting out what children should learn from Year 1 to Year 10. The DUP says the draft, developed with teachers and international experts, aims to give every pupil the same…
Education Issue: Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028 public consultation launch Original release: Givan launches consultation on new Northern Ireland Curriculum 2028 (opens in a new tab)
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De Faoite secures commitment to recognise contribution of women to Belfast
SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader Séamas de Faoite says Council has agreed to honour women's contribution to the city with the Freedom of Belfast, after raising the gender imbalance among past recipients. Proposals will be developed with the women's sector to name four women for the honour…
Disability and equality Local government Issue: Belfast Freedom of the City honour for women proposal Original release: De Faoite secures commitment to recognise contribution of women to Belfast (opens in a new tab)
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Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces changes to areas of childcare regulation
UUP's Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces he has approved changes to childcare regulation after consultation, limiting GP-countersigned health declarations to senior childcare roles and altering adult:child ratios for childminders and group day care from 1 June 2026.
Education Health Issue: Health Minister childcare regulation changes on GP declarations and adult:child ratios Original release: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announces changes to areas of childcare regulation (opens in a new tab)
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Givan: Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for…
The DUP's Education Minister Paul Givan says a visit to Holywood Nursery School shows the Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for children with special educational needs. He cites a new sensory room, extra classroom assistant hours and £4.5million invested in 2025/26 across…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Givan visit to Holywood Nursery School on Pre-School Inclusion Fund Original release: Givan: Pre-School Inclusion Fund is delivering targeted support for… (opens in a new tab)
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Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray
Alliance MLA Andrew McMurray calls the Wildfires Action Plan to 2030, published by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir, a timely intervention for the countryside after around 200 wildfires. He highlights rewetting peatlands and the Wildfire Recovery Project led by the Pau Costa Foundation in at-risk areas…
Environment and climate Issue: Wildfires Action Plan to 2030 publication by DAERA Original release: Wildfires Plan will protect communities, nature and the Mournes, says McMurray (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister launches new digital course to help pupils stay…
Education Minister Paul Givan launches a free online Digital Proficiency Course on the Safer Schools NI platform to help pupils, parents and schools keep children safe online, with the course going live on Safer Internet Day, 10 February 2026.
Education Issue: Safer Schools NI Digital Proficiency Course launch Original release: Education Minister launches new digital course to help pupils stay… (opens in a new tab)
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Dedicated Controlled Schools’ Unit launched
DUP Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes the Education Authority’s new Controlled Schools’ Unit, the first phase of a task‑force‑recommended two‑stage plan to give dedicated support and management to Northern Ireland’s controlled school sector.
Education Issue: Launch of Education Authority Controlled Schools’ Unit Original release: Dedicated Controlled Schools’ Unit launched (opens in a new tab)
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Givan welcomes approval of Ministerial Direction on Teachers’ Pay
Education Minister Paul Givan welcomes First Minister and deputy First Minister approval of his Ministerial Direction for the 2025–26 teachers' pay award, reached through the Urgent Decision procedure. He says the wider Education Department financial pressure, including a projected deficit of…
Education Economy and employment Issue: Executive approval of Ministerial Direction on 2025/26 teachers' pay offer Original release: Givan welcomes approval of Ministerial Direction on Teachers’ Pay (opens in a new tab)
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Givan announces £3.7million investment in RAISE Locality Led Projects…
Education Minister Paul Givan announces over £3.7million for 61 Locality Led Projects under the RAISE Programme, which aims to raise educational achievement and reduce disadvantage through place-based community work. Funding will support projects on attendance, standards and pathways for learners…
Education Public finance and taxation Issue: RAISE Programme £3.7million Locality Led Projects funding announcement Original release: Givan announces £3.7million investment in RAISE Locality Led Projects… (opens in a new tab)
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Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy
DUP's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons launches a public consultation on the draft ten-year Executive Disability Strategy for 2025 to 2035, with commitments including a Regional Disability Forum, a review of disability legislation and an annual Disability Data compendium. The consultation runs…
Disability and equality Issue: Executive Disability Strategy 2025-2035 public consultation launch Original release: Lyons launches consultation on ten-year Executive Disability Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister launches a new literacy framework for Northern…
Education Minister Paul Givan has launched Strong Foundations, a new literacy framework for primary schools, unveiled at the TransformED Literacy Symposium, alongside published guidelines to help schools build a whole-school approach to literacy.
Education Issue: Strong Foundations primary school literacy framework launch Original release: Education Minister launches a new literacy framework for Northern… (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister announces expansion of Pre-School education…
The DUP says Education Minister Paul Givan has approved 102 more pre-school settings to move to full-time, 22.5-hour sessions from September 2026, the second cohort under the Pre-school Standardisation programme.
Education Issue: Pre-school Standardisation programme second cohort approved for September 2026 Original release: Education Minister announces expansion of Pre-School education… (opens in a new tab)
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Fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy driver to make North West a vibrant place to live, work and study – Delargy
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy says a fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy run with Vertiv will boost the North West, offering 16 places for eight weeks of pre-employment training towards a Level 2 electrical installation qualition for reskilling or new careers.
Economy and employment Education Issue: Fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy with Vertiv announced for North West Original release: Fifth Electrical Switchgear Academy driver to make North West a vibrant place to live, work and study – Delargy (opens in a new tab)
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Middleton welcomes delivery of DUP manifesto commitment on school…
DUP MLA Gary Middleton welcomes Education Minister Paul Givan's issuing of new school uniform guidance, which he says delivers a DUP manifesto commitment. He says the guidance aims to ease cost pressures on families by favouring affordable, generic items and consultation with parents.
Education Issue: Education Minister Paul Givan's new school uniform guidance Original release: Middleton welcomes delivery of DUP manifesto commitment on school… (opens in a new tab)