Closest matches to “Ethos & values of schools must be respected: Dodds”
From other parties, ranked by how close their text is in meaning. Close in meaning is not the same as agreeing. Include DUP · Back to the release
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Butler Responds to Concerns Surrounding the Introduction of RSE
UUP Education Spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA says he has been contacted with concerns about compulsory Relationships and Sex Education, which the Secretary of State wants introduced, and calls for any new curriculum to be created by Northern Ireland parents, children and teachers rather than…
Education Issue: Secretary of State's plans to introduce compulsory RSE in Northern Ireland Original release: Butler Responds to Concerns Surrounding the Introduction of RSE (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister must ensure RSE is age appropriate and evidence based – Mason
SF MLA Cathy Mason calls on the Education Minister to make Relationships and Sex Education suitable for each developmental stage, grounded in research and responsive to young people's needs, following a recent Assembly debate. She argues it helps pupils spot abuse, understand consent and challenge…
Education Issue: Assembly debate on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Original release: Education Minister must ensure RSE is age appropriate and evidence based – Mason (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes updated relationship and sexuality education curriculum
Alliance MLA Connie Egan welcomes the Secretary of State's confirmation that he will update the relationship and sexuality education curriculum in Northern Ireland, saying it is overdue given a legal duty to comply with UN CEDAW recommendations on adolescent sexual health.
Education Disability and equality Issue: NIO decision to add abortion access to RSE teaching Original release: Egan welcomes updated relationship and sexuality education curriculum (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter launches ‘Reforming Relationships and Sex Education’ campaign
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter launches a campaign to reform relationships and sex education, calling for compulsory, modern RSE in all Northern Ireland schools and urging the Department of Education to act. She says the campaign will include public events and meetings with young people and other parties.
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DUP Education Minister is undermining integrated education despite his legal duty to promote it
Alliance's Michelle Guy MLA accuses the Education Minister of undermining integrated education through a statement on new thresholds for pupil mix in integrated schools, saying it is confused and may hinder schools seeking integrated status. She urges transforming schools and parents not to be…
Education Issue: Department of Education position paper on 'reasonable numbers' in Integrated Education Original release: DUP Education Minister is undermining integrated education despite his legal duty to promote it (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister has no plans to reverse RSE changes
TUV leader Jim Allister criticises the DUP Education Minister for declining to say whether he will revise RSE guidance for schools, and says devolution cannot reverse changes requiring teaching on access to abortion. He cites the consultation responses and MLA correspondence from parents.
Education Issue: Education Minister's RSE statutory guidance revision answer Original release: Education Minister has no plans to reverse RSE changes (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter welcomes move to introduce compulsory RSE in schools
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter welcomes a proposal for compulsory relationship and sexual education in schools, saying it could help tackle abuse and unhealthy behaviour among young people. She criticises the Education Department for failing to act and urges proper RSE across the North.
Education Original release: Hunter welcomes move to introduce compulsory RSE in schools (opens in a new tab)
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Egan calls for end to false information campaign on relationship and sex education
Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA urges an end to an online disinformation push about relationship and sex education in Northern Ireland, following a Department of Education letter to school principals on the subject. She says the Secretary of State's new RSE regulations for…
Education Issue: Department of Education letter to principals on RSE regulations Original release: Egan calls for end to false information campaign on relationship and sex education (opens in a new tab)
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McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy
SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin welcomes the launch of a public consultation on the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework and Action Plan, which runs until 3 October, and urges people and community groups to take part. She says a restored Executive is needed to agree…
Justice and policing Disability and equality Issue: Draft ending violence against women and girls strategy published for consultation Original release: McLaughlin: Consultation important step in delivering Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes consultation on Jade's Law to better protect children
Alliance Spokesperson for Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Connie Egan MLA welcomes the new public consultation on Jade’s Law and related measures that would reshape parental responsibility for murder and other serious offences, calling it a vital step to improve child safeguarding and urging s
Justice and policing Issue: Family law reform consultation on parental responsibility after serious crimes Original release: Egan welcomes consultation on Jade's Law to better protect children (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 11 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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BROLLY: “Safeguarding must not be used as an excuse to sideline parents”
Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly, ahead of the Assembly debate on the Education Committee's report into RSE, says safeguarding must not sideline parents and calls for parental rights, school ethos and transparency to be protected. She asks the Education Minister to clarify withdrawal rights…
Education Issue: Assembly debate on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Original release: BROLLY: “Safeguarding must not be used as an excuse to sideline parents” (opens in a new tab)Archived copy, Internet Archive capture of 8 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Expansion of integrated education on North Coast immensely welcome, says Mathison
Alliance education spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA welcomes the Department of Education's approval of a merged integrated secondary in Coleraine, combining three existing schools with Ulster University involvement. He says concerns about the site must be considered and urges ministers to move the…
Education Issue: Department of Education approval of Coleraine integrated post-primary merger Original release: Expansion of integrated education on North Coast immensely welcome, says Mathison (opens in a new tab)
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Focus must now turn to ensuring reduction in school uniform costs, says Mathison.
Alliance education spokesperson and Strangford MLA Nick Mathison calls on the Department of Education to use responses to its school uniform policy consultation to draft legislation cutting parents' costs, backing a cost cap. He also urges schools and boards of governors to act now on branded PE…
Education Issue: School uniform policy consultation Original release: Focus must now turn to ensuring reduction in school uniform costs, says Mathison. (opens in a new tab)
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Education Department can do more to prevent bullying and support those experiencing it, says Guy.
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says the Department of Education lacks data on bullying, including how many schools lack anti-bullying policies, and calls for anonymous incident reporting to inform tailored support. Her remarks follow reports that a Belfast school failed to…
Education Issue: Belfast school trip safeguarding failure reports and bullying oversight Original release: Education Department can do more to prevent bullying and support those experiencing it, says Guy. (opens in a new tab)
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SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation
SDLP Opposition challenges the Executive over delayed racial equality legislation after record race hate incidents and crimes in 2025/26, and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain the delay. Its Black History Month Opposition Day motion also recognised black communities.
Disability and equality Justice and policing Issue: Executive delay to racial equality legislation following record race hate figures Original release: SDLP challenges Executive over broken pledge on racial equality legislation (opens in a new tab)Archived copy (captured later), Internet Archive capture of 9 November 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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Egan welcomes launch of consultation on reduction and management of restrictive practices in educational settings
Alliance education spokesperson Connie Egan MLA welcomes the Department of Education's launch of a consultation on draft guidance on reducing and managing restrictive practices in schools. She backs Harry's Law to end misuse of seclusion and require proper recording of restraint, and urges the…
Education Issue: Department of Education consultation on restrictive practices guidance in schools Original release: Egan welcomes launch of consultation on reduction and management of restrictive practices in educational settings (opens in a new tab)
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Eastwood to bring forward Bill to improve schools' careers advice when Assembly returns
Alliance MLA Sorcha Eastwood plans to introduce a members' bill on schools' careers advice when the Assembly resumes, aiming for consistent, independent and specialised guidance for all pupils. She says current provision is a lottery and that teachers are expected to carry too much of the burden.
Education Economy and employment Original release: Eastwood to bring forward Bill to improve schools' careers advice when Assembly returns (opens in a new tab)
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Parents and providers' concerns about pre-school places must be taken seriously, says Guy
Alliance Education spokesperson Michelle Guy MLA says concerns from parents and pre-school providers over this year's funded place allocations must be heeded by the Education Minister and his department. She points to providers' objections, mistaken admissions emails and the EA's agreed review of…
Education Issue: Pre-school funded place allocations EA review Original release: Parents and providers' concerns about pre-school places must be taken seriously, says Guy (opens in a new tab)
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Education Minister commits to review transgender guidance
TUV leader Jim Allister welcomes the Education Minister's commitment to review the Education Authority's guidance on supporting transgender young people, and calls for the guidance to be withdrawn as fundamentally flawed. He objects to advice on parental involvement and to proposals to remove…
Education Disability and equality Issue: Education Minister commits to review transgender guidance for schools Original release: Education Minister commits to review transgender guidance (opens in a new tab)
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Hunter: Clarity not culture war needed following Supreme Court ruling on religious education
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter calls for the Education Minister to issue legally sound guidance to schools, staff, pupils and families on what the Supreme Court ruling on Religious Education means. She says religion is not being removed from schools and criticises some for…
Education Issue: Supreme Court ruling on mandatory Christian worship in NI schools Original release: Hunter: Clarity not culture war needed following Supreme Court ruling on religious education (opens in a new tab)
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Dolan welcomes launch of public consultation Baby Loss Certificate Scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan welcomes the launch of a public consultation on a proposed Baby Loss Certificate Scheme for parents who suffer pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. She urges parents and the public to share their views and says she looks forward to the scheme being introduced later this year.
Health Issue: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme public consultation launch Original release: Dolan welcomes launch of public consultation Baby Loss Certificate Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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McNulty: Minister must have school bus safety laws in place by end of mandate
SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Justin McNulty MLA calls on Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to have school bus safety legislation, banning cars from overtaking stopped buses, passed before the end of the mandate, after her public consultation on safer school journeys.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: Safer Journeys to School consultation on bus passenger safety launch Original release: McNulty: Minister must have school bus safety laws in place by end of mandate (opens in a new tab)
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Alliance representatives delighted decision to progress new Mid Down Integrated College confirmed
Alliance representatives welcome the Permanent Secretary for Education's decision to let a new integrated college proceed in Mid Down. South Down MLA Patrick Brown credits the Mid Down IC Steering Group, while Strangford MLA Nick Mathison hopes capital funding is found soon.
Education Issue: Mid Down Integrated College proposal progression decision Original release: Alliance representatives delighted decision to progress new Mid Down Integrated College confirmed (opens in a new tab)
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Crucial integrated education recommendations are delivered upon, says Armstrong
Alliance's Kellie Armstrong MLA urges the Department of Education to act on the recommendations in its first Integrated Education Strategy, which sets out actions for the department and bodies such as the Education Authority. She welcomes the strategy as a step forward but says it needs to be more…
Education Issue: Department of Education first Integrated Education Strategy publication Original release: Crucial integrated education recommendations are delivered upon, says Armstrong (opens in a new tab)