CCEA provides update to Education Minister on curriculum and examinations during visit

CCEA’s update focused on the steps taken to support learners significantly impacted by the public health crisis when taking their examinations. It also updated on the progress being made towards returning to full public examinations which is expected to be completed later this year. The meeting included an update on how school principals and higher education institutions were being assured that the examinations being taken in Northern Ireland remain comparable with those in England and Wales.

During his time at the Clarendon Dock headquarters, the Minister was shown examples on how CCEA is continuing to support the teaching of the Northern Ireland Curriculum including in Irish Medium schools, the technical work involved in delivering the Summer 2024 exams and how it continues to modernise its examinations processes and delivery.

Speaking at the visit, the Minister commented:

I very much appreciate the work of the Council and staff of CCEA who continue to support the education of our children and young people.

My visit today was a valuable opportunity to showcase the important role that CCEA plays in supporting the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and underlined the breadth of the curricular and examinations work that CCEA is currently progressing.

The Minister added:

Today’s briefing on the preparation for Summer 2024 examinations has been very informative and timely in outlining the journey back to normal awarding arrangements and pre-pandemic standards.

CCEA Chairperson Tommy O’Reilly commented:

I wish to thank the Minister for taking the time to visit CCEA today. He was keen to receive an update on our preparations for the forthcoming summer examinations and to hear about the tremendous work of CCEA staff in ensuring learners could receive their qualification awards during the pandemic which enabled them to continue their education journey. We also wanted to take the opportunity to show him other important aspects of work undertaken by CCEA staff.

The Council looks forward to having further opportunities to engage with the Minister on the role that CCEA can play in delivering on his priorities for education.

CCEA Chief Executive Gerry Campbell said:

It was a pleasure to welcome the education minister to showcase our important work and plans.

This included the work on examinations, as Summer 2024 will see CCEA complete the return journey to pre-pandemic standards, a further positive step forward following the disruption over the last few years. The organisation also continues to deliver key curriculum learning and teaching resources for subject matters which support learners’ wellbeing, such as Period Dignity, financial capability and sustainable growth and climate change.

As CCEA places learners and those who have an interest for their educational and personal development at the forefront of our thinking it is imperative that we work closely with the Minister and the Department of Education as we continue to deliver high-quality services and support to the education sector of Northern Ireland.