Commenting on the resignation of Northern Ireland's First Minister, Dr Graham Gault, director of school leaders' union NAHT(NI), said:

“School leaders are incredulous that, yet again, our political institutions are threatened because of ideological manoeuvring. Our children have already endured three years of no government in Northern Ireland, during which time many important developments in education, directly affecting children, were either stalled or dropped.

“Our children cannot afford another collapsed government. From the perspective of our education system, which is simply in crisis, collapsing our government would be the greatest act of abject recklessness imaginable.

“NAHT, on behalf of our school leaders and the children they represent, appeal to government to consider carefully the impact of your decisions on our children and young people and prioritise their needs ahead of your own political agendas.”