Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report, Assessing the Quality of Education in Northern Ireland, calling it a constructive step toward better outcomes for young people.

The Minister noted the report's emphasis on the link between high-quality schooling and the region's future prosperity. However, he acknowledged the NIAO's concerns regarding significant gaps in performance data, especially for pupils at Key Stages 1 to 3. The report found that a lack of comprehensive data has hindered the ability to monitor progress and assess the impact of various policies.

In response, the Minister pointed to the TransformED strategy, which is already working to implement new literacy and numeracy checks for children aged 8, 11, and 14.

Paul Givan said: "I welcome this report and its clear recognition that high‑quality education is fundamental to the wellbeing of our children and to the future prosperity of Northern Ireland. I note the report's conclusion that significant gaps in system‑wide performance data, particularly at Key Stages 1–3, have limited the ability to monitor progress, target support and evaluate policy impact. The report rightly highlights the importance of having reliable, comprehensive and earlier assessment information to support children's learning. TransformED is already addressing this by introducing new system‑level checks in literacy and numeracy at ages 8, 11 and 14, and this will be strengthened further by the new assessments recommended by the Independent Review of Assessment." The report also drew attention to the impact of industrial action, which has disrupted school inspections for nearly ten years. This lack of oversight has reduced the level of assurance regarding teaching quality, safeguarding, and support for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

The Minister said: "Inspection is vital. It provides independent assurance to parents, supports schools to improve and helps the system understand whether public money is delivering the best outcomes for every child. The report highlights the disruption caused by Action Short of Strike and the increased risk that pupils were not receiving adequate support. We cannot allow a return to the situation where inspectors are unable to carry out their statutory responsibilities."

To prevent future disruptions, the Department of Education has introduced new legislation aimed at protecting the inspection process. The Minister urged all political parties to support the bill, noting that Northern Ireland is currently the only jurisdiction in the UK and Ireland without such legal protections.

Concluding his remarks, the Minister said: "TransformED represents the most significant programme of educational reform in more than a decade. Its reforms to assessment, school improvement, inspection and accountability directly address the issues highlighted in today's report. We urge all stakeholders to get behind this work so that every child in Northern Ireland benefits from a high‑quality, equitable education. I am committed to building a modern, data‑rich, high‑trust education system in which every learner can thrive. The NIAO report provides important external scrutiny, and the Department will act swiftly to implement the recommendations and fully realise the ambitions set out in TransformED."