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23/04/2015
McIlveen Slams Education Minister's Decision On School Starting Age
The Chair of the Education Committee has hit out at the Education Minister's decision not to go-ahead with legislation of flexibility for the school starting age in exceptional circumstances.
Michelle McIlveen MLA said the "U turn" by Minister John O'Dowd can be seen as nothing more than a "failure".
She said: "This is an issue which has cross party support and a policy area which my predecessor Mervyn Storey MLA campaigned on. I find it quite incredible that after consultation has taken place that the Minister is using the excuse of limited Assembly and Executive time to shelve a bill which would have given effect to this change.
"In the absence of legislation I would call upon the Minster, as a matter of urgency, to issue the necessary guidance required by parents and Principals to clarify the current legal position."
(CD/MH)
Michelle McIlveen MLA said the "U turn" by Minister John O'Dowd can be seen as nothing more than a "failure".
She said: "This is an issue which has cross party support and a policy area which my predecessor Mervyn Storey MLA campaigned on. I find it quite incredible that after consultation has taken place that the Minister is using the excuse of limited Assembly and Executive time to shelve a bill which would have given effect to this change.
"In the absence of legislation I would call upon the Minster, as a matter of urgency, to issue the necessary guidance required by parents and Principals to clarify the current legal position."
(CD/MH)
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