PROGRESS ON the "debacle" over education and the transfer between primary and second level is essential if policing and justice powers are to be successfully devolved to Stormont, the Ulster Unionists have warned.
Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said the issue is one of the "litmus tests" of the NI Executive's functionality. He told
The Irish Times
yesterday: "The Ulster Unionist Party has long stated its concerns at the dysfunctional nature of the Executive, and we are determined to address its most glaring example - the failure to deal with the crisis in education. There is a shocking contrast between daily meetings to discuss parades, and the failure of the Executive to discuss education for two whole years."
The party has not yet nominated anyone for the position of justice minister. Sinn Féin and the DUP have said they will not put forward a candidate, while the SDLP has confirmed it will nominate Alban Maginness.
The Alliance party has yet to make a nomination.
"It is intolerable that young children, parents and teachers have been plunged into an entirely unregulated system, putting children under greater stress than ever before," Sir Reg said. "Sitting two and three exams, run by different sectors, is wholly unacceptable. Surely if we can address the parades issue . . . the same should apply to education."