The share out of government portfolios at Stormont which has seen departments switching hands after a long period with one party, offers the prospect of some far-reaching changes in policy direction.
Education, in particular, is being carefully watched by all those involved in this sector, which includes parents as well as teachers, principals and support staff.
Apart from periods of direct rule, Sinn Féin has held this ministry since 1999 and is where Martin McGuinness as education minister announced the abolition of the 11-plus.
His successor Caitríona Ruane scrapped the government-run transfer tests in 2008 without putting in place a replacement system, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by unregulated exams.
This has resulted in some children sitting four papers on consecutive weekends, which is a dreadful amount of pressure on youngsters aged just ten and eleven.
Unfortunately, this deeply unsatisfactory situation has continued for the past seven years and while a small number of Catholic grammars have thankfully abandoned the tests, progress has been extremely slow.
It has to be acknowledged that Sinn Féin faced acute opposition in the assembly, with unionists particularly opposed to the ending of academic selection.
However, now the DUP has taken this ministry, the concern must be that the party will move to reverse Sinn Féin's decisions on academic selection.
Arlene Foster has signalled she wants to look at the two entrance tests currently in operation, the GL assessment used by mainly Catholic schools and AQE exams used by the non-Catholic sector.
The INTO teaching union, which is firmly opposed to academic selection, is seeking a meeting with new minister Peter Weir and it is essential that the DUP's position is made clear.
Teachers and parents have already experienced a considerable degree of upheaval in recent years and it is important for schools to have certainty and stability.
There is no doubt the present series of unofficial tests is a bad arrangement, however, many parents have been placed in a difficult position and feel it is the only option if they want their child to go to a particular school.
But bringing academic selection at age eleven back under government control would be regarded as a backward step and the DUP would need to think carefully about its future direction on this issue.
It also has to be recognised that while the 11-plus is a highly contentious matter that divides politicians, educators and parents, it is
not the only major problem facing the education minister.
School budgets, overstretched teaching staff and educational underachievement among a significant number of our young people are just some of the issues the new minister needs to address as a matter of urgency.
