Followinginformation from the BBC this morning that the Minister is set to announce exam mitigations in the Assembly today, NAHT(NI) is concerned that the Minister's statement of exam mitigations will not go far enough.

Dr Graham Gault, president of the NAHT(NI) stated:

“The pandemic has led to a widening of inequalities between students. Many students have had multiple periods of self isolation, whereas others have had none. It is vital that the Minister provides the detail as to how these inequalities will be quantified and addressed.

"The Minister’s proposal must include contingency-planning measures, should exams be untenable. With a predicted rise in the R-number post Christmas, it is essential that robust contingency measures are in place.

"We are highly concerned that different levels of mitigations in different nations may disproportionately disadvantage NI-based students.  It is vital that qualifications are portable across UK nations.

"Furthermore, we are disappointed that the Minister did not announce measures sooner. Students have been under immense pressure. The fact that Northern Ireland is the last region in the UK to have announced mitigations, has been of significant detriment to the mental health and wellbeing of students and the wider school community.

"More than ever, it is vital that the Minister listens to the voice of pupils and school leaders. We are calling upon him to consult publicly on the detail of these proposals and carry out a full equality impact assessment on their implications.”

Press and Media contacts:

Steven George
NAHT Head of Press and Media
01444 472886
07970 907730

Rose Tremlett 
Senior Press Officer 
07545 354363

Email : press.office@naht.org.uk