Order Paper

1.   Prayers

2.   Members’ Statements

3.   Question Time

3.1     Finance

4.   Private Members’ Business

Motion: Ending Academic Selection

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes with concern the continued use of academic selection and transfer tests as a means of determining post-primary school transfer within our education system; recognises the extensive body of evidence from educational experts, including the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which highlights the negative impact of academic selection on children's well-being, educational outcomes, and social mobility; further notes that research consistently shows that transfer tests cause undue stress and anxiety for young people and disproportionately disadvantage those from lower-income and working-class backgrounds, deepening educational inequalities; affirms its commitment to an education system based on equality, inclusion, and the principle that all children, regardless of background or ability, should have the opportunity to reach their full potential in a supportive and non-selective environment; calls on the Minister of Education to take steps to phase out the use of academic selection and transfer tests in post-primary admissions and to develop and implement a fair, inclusive, and non-selective system of post-primary education that ensures equality of opportunity for all children; and further calls on the Minister to prioritise action to tackle educational underachievement and close the attainment gap, particularly for children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Mr Pat Sheehan
Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Danny Baker

Motion: Reform of the Northern Ireland Civil Service

Proposed:

That this Assembly notes the findings of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report, Leading and Resourcing the Northern Ireland Civil Service; recognises the dedication of civil servants in delivering public services under increasing strain; believes that reform is necessary to ensure value for money and effective public service delivery; and calls on the Minister of Finance to bring forward a time-bound plan to reform workforce planning within the Northern Ireland Civil Service, reduce reliance on agency staffing, and improve efficiency.

Ms Diane Forsythe
Mr Brian Kingston
Mr Phillip Brett

5.   Adjournment

• The Impact of Storms on the A20 Portaferry Road

Ms Kellie Armstrong