Northern Ireland

Video: Pupils get chance to quiz education minister Peter Weir

Eight pupils from post-primary schools across Northern Ireland got a chance to quiz education minister Peter Weir
Eight pupils from post-primary schools across Northern Ireland got a chance to quiz education minister Peter Weir Eight pupils from post-primary schools across Northern Ireland got a chance to quiz education minister Peter Weir

EDUCATION minister Peter Weir has fielded questions from post-primary pupils about his response to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Department of Education was holding its second virtual 'pupil press conference', with students from eight schools across Northern Ireland taking part.

They put the DUP minister on the spot on issues ranging from resources for remote learning to how schools can accommodate pupils when they re-open in September.

Mr Weir said: “There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our pupils and schools. The pupil press conferences are a unique opportunity to engage with pupils and allow them to question me directly about their specific concerns.

“I was highly impressed by both the range and depth of questioning. In fact we may have some future political journalists in the making."

The schools represented were Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen; St Catherine’s College, Armagh; St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon; Lisneal College, Derry; Larne Grammar; Saintfield High School; and Coláiste Feirste and Strathearn School in Belfast.

The event was chaired by Irish News deputy news editor Aeneas Bonner.