EDUCATION minister Michelle McIlveen said arrangements for next year’s qualifications will "acknowledge the unprecedented disruption our education system has faced" due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Outlining plans for awarding CCEA qualifications in summer 2023, Ms McIlveen said young people would be "provided with advance information on the focus of assessment for each qualification".

In 2020 and 2021, students had to rely on teacher-assessed grades as the pandemic led to the closure of schools and pupils moved to remote learning.

This year marked the first time in three years that pupils have sat A-levels, AS levels and GSCEs. However, several courses were amended to allow for the continued loss of time in the classroom.

Ms McIlveen said she has "set out a clear plan for qualifications in 2023".

"I have put in place a comprehensive package of measures to give reassurance to our young people, their families, teachers and school leaders in advance of the new academic year," she said.

"Fairness to pupils is my priority.

"Arrangements for next year’s qualifications acknowledge the unprecedented disruption our education system has faced and aim to support recovery.

"Advance information about the broad areas to be assessed in each examination will provide important support to learners, increasing their confidence and aiding their revision."

The DUP minister also announced a £2 million 'Qualifications Support Programme' to further support pupils preparing for exams next year.

She said post-primary schools will "have the freedom to deploy this funding flexibly, in a way that best supports their pupils preparing for exams in 2023".