The Commissioner for Children and Younger People in Northern Ireland has expressed support for plans to extend the right to education until age 18. However, Chris Quinn cautioned against making this extension compulsory. He emphasized the need for detailed plans that reflect the unique needs and challenges faced by different groups of young people.
The Education Minister, Paul Givan, announced his intention to propose legislation that would require all young people to remain in education or training until they turn 18. Currently, the school leaving age in Northern Ireland is 16, a policy that has been in place since 1972.
This announcement follows the Independent Review of Education, which examined all aspects of the education system in Northern Ireland. The final review was published last December.
In addition, Givan aims to initiate discussions about the future of qualifications in Northern Ireland, stressing the importance of maintaining comparability with the rest of the United Kingdom. A review of the school curriculum is also underway to assess its design and delivery. Furthermore, a new strategy for literacy and numeracy in Northern Ireland is being developed.
Quinn highlighted that evidence from around the world indicates that making education compulsory for disengaged students often yields minimal results. Instead, he suggested that alternative and targeted measures may be more effective.
He stated, “The best interests of the child should come first. We need appropriate support, resources, and broader reforms to provide high-quality educational pathways for all. Children over 16 should have access to various options outside of traditional education, including well-supported apprenticeships that offer fair pay.”
Quinn called for a shift away from evaluating success solely on five GCSEs and urged for a focus on children’s overall well-being. He encouraged the Departments of Education and Economy to collaborate with community organizations and recognize non-formal education, training, and international experiences as valid post-16 education pathways. He emphasized that these opportunities can be transformative and warrant increased investment.
He also noted that the Independent Review of Education made several recommendations, such as introducing pre-vocational pathways from age 14 and measuring success beyond attainment at 16 or 18. The review stressed the need to prioritize early childhood education, support emotional health and well-being, and address shortcomings in services for children with special educational needs, stating that comprehensive reform is urgently needed.
The Independent Review included 25 key recommendations and identified 106 areas for further action, including funding for early years education and reforms to the curriculum and qualifications system.
Givan acknowledged to the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) that he accepted nearly all the recommendations from the review. He pointed out that many young people in Northern Ireland affected by poverty leave education under-skilled and under-qualified.
“Continuing education beyond age 16 is vital for young people’s life prospects,” he said. He added that a young person’s background significantly influences their chances of pursuing post-16 education.
Givan criticized the current system, describing compulsory education up to age 16 as outdated, stemming from a time when unskilled jobs were more common. He stated, “Today’s jobs demand higher levels of skill and education.”
He assured the MLAs that more information on plans regarding assessment, qualifications, and school improvements would be shared in the coming weeks. To begin this process, he announced a review of how pupil progress is assessed throughout their education.
“It’s essential that qualifications are accessible, relevant, and understood by students, parents, and employers, while remaining comparable with other parts of the UK,” Givan said.
He reminded MLAs of a reported annual funding gap of £155 million per pupil compared to England and Wales, alongside a £136 million shortfall due to the increased number of students with special educational needs.
Givan remarked, “Real-term funding cuts in recent years have negatively impacted our young learners. I am committed to reversing the effects of this historic underfunding.”
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter, however, has called for clearer details on the Minister’s proposals. She noted, “We have a crisis in special educational needs, including education for those aged 19 and over. Yet the Minister only offered general statements today without concrete plans.”
She also pointed out that there was no mention of integrated education, Irish medium schools, or how the Minister intends to address relationship and sexuality education, rising childcare costs, or support for children living in poverty and those struggling with mental health issues.
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