Committee for Education
The Education Committee pictured just before a committee meeting in Parliament Buildings.
Latest News
The next meeting of the Committee for Education will be held on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 2pm, in Room 29. The meeting will also be live streamed here.
The Committee will consider evidence on RE education, Private Members Bills relating to Holiday Meal Payments and Irish Medium Education, and the General Teaching Council Bill.
Committee Membership
The current Committee membership is:
- Mr Nick Mathison MLA, Alliance (Chairperson)
- Mr Pat Sheehan MLA, Sinn Féin (Deputy Chairperson)
- Mr Danny Baker MLA, Sinn Féin
- Mr David Brooks MLA, DUP
- Mr Peter Martin MLA, DUP
- Mr Jon Burrows MLA, UUP
- Ms Cara Hunter MLA, SDLP
- Mrs Cathy Mason MLA, Sinn Féin
- Mrs Michelle Guy MLA, Alliance
Quick Links
General Teaching Council Bill
The General Teaching Council Bill was formally introduced to the Assembly on Monday 24 November 2025. The Bill undertook its Second Stage on Tuesday 2 December 2025 with the Committee Stage commencing immediately thereafter.
In order to inform the Committee Stage of the Bill, the Committee for Education would welcome your views/comments on the contents of the Bill.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026
The Committee has been asked to consider the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 provided by the Department of Education.
The Committee is seeking views on whether the information provided is accurate, complete, and whether it may result in any unintended or unanticipated consequences.
Inquiry into a Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation agenda
The Committee for Education has begun its inquiry into a Strategic Review of current SEN provision and Transformation agenda.
The main objective is to analyse and evaluate the challenges faced within current SEN support systems in schools and assess the extent to which the Department's SEN Reform Agenda Delivery Plan is addressing these.
Proposal for a Bill on the right to choose to wear trousers in school
The Committee is bringing forward a proposal for a law to allow all pupils to wear trousers at school, so that this becomes a universal right.
It has heard a very strong appeal for this change and considers this an important issue which has a very significant impact on daily life in school.
For the most part, girls do not currently have the right to choose to wear trousers (or shorts) to school, so they are the pupils in question.
Inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in Schools
The Committee for Education is carrying out a Mini-Inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools, and would like to hear your informed views and experience on the matter.
The Committee’s terms of reference are to compare the approaches to and outcomes of RSE in these islands and of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) internationally; to assess provision in Northern Ireland; and to reach conclusions on the need for reform and make recommendations accordingly.
Education Committee Engagement
As part of its scrutiny work, the Education Committee occasionally visits organisations or hosts visitors and stakeholders at Parliament Buildings.
Contact the Committee
Committee Clerk: Aoibhinn Treanor
Room 428, Parliament Buildings,
Ballymiscaw,Stormont,
Belfast,BT4 3XX
Tel: (028) 905 20379
Email: committee.education@niassembly.gov.uk
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