MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HUNDRED AND FIRST MEETING OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN ROOM 144, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ON TUESDAY 11 JUNE 2002

Present:
Mr D Kennedy (Chairman)
Mr T Gallagher
Mr O Gibson
Mr G McHugh
Mr B McElduff
Mr K Robinson

Apologies:
Mr S Wilson (Deputy Chairman)
Mrs E Bell
Mr J Fee
Mr T Hamilton 
Mr A Maginness

In Attendance:
Mr H Farren (Committee Clerk)
Mrs V Artt (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Ms M Austin (Assistant Committee Clerk)
Mr D Stevenson (Clerical Supervisor)
Miss N Finlay (Clerical Assistant)

Ms Alison Montgomery
Ms Patricia Casey 
(Assembly Research Directorate for Item 2(i))

The Committee met at 12.38 p.m. in private session.

1. Minutes of the Meetings of 6 June 2002

The minutes of the meeting of 6 June 2002 were agreed.

2. Chairman's Business

(i) A copy of a research paper requested by the Committee on the implications of the Post-Primary Review Body proposals for future legislation had been circulated for information. The Chairman advised the Committee that an article referring to a possible legislative loophole allowing the removal of the 11-plus without the need for the support of the Assembly had been published in the press. After a short discussion the Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Education to seek clarification of the background to the article. The Committee also agreed to request further research on the matter.

(ii) The Chairman informed members that a copy of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure's Report on Cultural Tourism in Northern Ireland had been received and that the recommendation, 'Promotion of history via the curriculum' had particular reference to Education. The Committee agreed that, given the specific reference to the curriculum, the recommendation should be highlighted to the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.

3. Draft Statutory Rule in Relation to the Review of School Information and Prospectuses

A copy of the draft Statutory Rule in relation to the Review of School Information and Prospectuses had been circulated. Members welcomed the fact that all but one of the Committee's proposals had been included and after a discussion agreed that the Clerk should inform the Department of Education that the Committee was content with the draft Regulations.

Mr G McHugh joined the meeting at 12.48 p.m.

4. Any Other Business

Mr T Gallagher informed members that he had recently been informed of the instruction that schools in Northern Ireland are no longer permitted to use EDEXCEL as an examination board. The Committee agreed to write to CCEA to seek their views on the matter as views were already being sought from the Minister of Education

5. Briefing by Representatives of the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment on the Curriculum Review Proposals - Public Session

The Chairman welcomed Mr Gavin Boyd and Ms Carmel Gallagher to the meeting to brief the Committee on the Curriculum Review Proposals.

The representatives briefed the Committee on a number of issues including:

• the background and principal themes of the Review Proposals;
• the role of the Statutory Curriculum;
• the reasons for change in each Stage and the nature of the change proposed;
• the effect the proposals would have if accepted; and
• details of the consultation process.

The Chairman thanked the representatives for a very useful and informative briefing and advised them that the Committee would consider the matter further and forward any issues identified by members to CCEA for comment.

Mr K Robinson left the meeting at 13.03 p.m.

7. Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee was scheduled for Thursday 13 June 2002 at 10.30 a.m. in the Market Place Theatre Armagh.

The Committee was adjourned at 13.12 p.m.

DANNY KENNEDY
Committee Chairman

June 2002