THIS year has been unprecedented in the challenges it has presented for so many of us.
We have all witnessed incredible examples of dedication, commitment and determination to go above and beyond. Equally, Covid-19 has taken its toll directly on our health service, our economy and on the education of our children and young people.
Our schools reopened at the end of August. At that time, many people were uncertain that it was the right thing to do but with the hard work, and professionalism of our dedicated school workforce we have achieved so much.
My department has supported schools with additional funding and initiatives such as the Engage Programme to provide additional teaching support, a Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and a new scheme to provide laptops and other digital devices to our most disadvantaged learners.
I knew, as we reopened schools in August, that there would be many challenges and from my conversations with school leaders it is clear that they have dealt with a wide range of difficult and exceptional issues. I want to thank the principals, teachers and school support staff who have met these challenges with a calm and resolved determination.
I know that these are difficult and uncertain times and parents and pupils have many understandable concerns. I want to take this opportunity to provide as much clarity as possible on educational issues.
There has been speculation on whether schools will close early for Christmas. I will once again stress there are no plans to extend the Christmas holidays for schools. My primary focus has been to keep schools open whenever possible. It is not just about ensuring our children continue to benefit from high quality teaching and learning but also the many other advantages that children obtain from attending school.
Being at school is vital to children's emotional, social and physical wellbeing. For children who live in vulnerable families, school is a safe haven. I want to ensure that these safe havens remain open.
On the issue of public exams in 2021, I am very aware that cancelling exams could leave our students in a precarious position. Scotland are pressing ahead with their Higher and Advanced Highers exams for university entry.
England is also committed to public exams at both GCSE and A-level as the best and most equitable way to assess students. Equally, the education minister in the Republic of Ireland has said that she remains absolutely committed to the Leaving Certificate going ahead as normally as possible.
Whilst Wales has cancelled public examinations, young people will face externally set assessments and they will be taken earlier than usual.
Whilst on of the face of it simply cancelling exams and providing students with a form of centre assessed grades would seem like a good approach, I have to protect the interests of our young people going forward.
If exams were cancelled here but go ahead in other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland, there are significant risks around the comparability and portability of these key qualifications, particularly A-levels.
There is potential that the many thousands of young people who wish to gain entry to university outside Northern Ireland may be disadvantaged. I need to ensure that our students have the same opportunity as others throughout the UK and that means keeping in step with the board position across the British Isles.
The experience of 2020 has shown us that exams remain the fairest method of assessing and awarding qualifications. We have already made significant changes to CCEA qualifications, reducing the number of exams pupils will need to take and accounting for lost face to face teaching time. I am currently considering a range of further contingency arrangements and mitigations and will make an announcement about these as soon as I can.
I recognise the fact that we will need to made adjustments to reflect that this year was by no means a regular school year.
In 1914, when Sir Ernest Shackleton departed on his Antarctic expedition, he named his ship Endurance based on his family motto - `by endurance we conquer’.
We all have endured much during this year, but we have persevered and succeeded in returning our children to school. I hope and trust that 2021 will be brighter, happier and more prosperous year.
