The Education Minister has instructed departmental officials not to attend the Education Committee, prompting condemnation from the committee's chair, Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, who warned the move undermines scrutiny during a period of intense strain on schools. Nick Mathison, Alliance Chair of the Education Committee, said: "The Minister's decision to withdraw officials from Committee is unprecedented and unacceptable. He is playing games with children's education by seeking to stop the committee from holding his department to account at a time when the education system is in a state of chaos.

"This move is about avoiding scrutiny of the big issues at hand, including the ongoing SEN crisis, crumbling school buildings, and a complete breakdown of industrial relations. It is not for the Minister to try to dictate how the committee conducts its business, and parents and the education workforce will be deeply concerned that our scrutiny role is being hampered so significantly.

"It is incredibly disappointing that this is the course of action the Minister has taken when our education system is past breaking point."