‘In the name of God, go’: NI education minister faces down calls for his resignation and refuses to step in over AQE transfer test plans as schools close and GCSE and A-levels are cancelled

Former UUP leader Mike Nesbitt used a quote from Oliver Cromwell to urge Mr Weir: “In the name of God, go.”

But the under-fire minister brushed aside the criticism as he updated MLAs in the Assembly on Wednesday on the plans to close schools until the mid-term break next month and set out the position on examinations.

All schools — including nurseries — will close until the mid-term break with pupils expected to continue their education through remote learning.

There is an exemption, however, for special schools as well children deemed ‘vulnerable’ and those with statements of special educational needs. A further exemption is in place for the children of key workers.

On exams, Mr Weir announced that “all GCSE, AS and A2 exams due to take place in January, February, May and June will be cancelled”.

Following controversy surrounding the transfer test, Mr Weir confirmed he would not step in and try and compel an examinations body from stepping back from its plan to press ahead and hold an exam at the end of next month.

Two organisations are responsible for setting the tests — the PPTC and the AQE.

While the PPTC has confirmed it will not hold examinations this year, the AQE has called off plans to hold an exam this Saturday.

The AQE, however, has announced a plan to hold an exam on February 27.

Responding to a question from Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd, a former education minister, Mr Weir confirmed he would not use legislation to try and force the AQE to cancel the plan.

Responding to a question from Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle, Mr Weir added: “There is no easy way of doing academic selection without some form of test.”

On school closures, the minister said: “I would like to reiterate that these decisions have not been taken lightly, but we must have regard to the prevailing public health situation, and the need to reduce overall community contacts.”
He added: “I will return schools to face to face learning as soon as the public health situation permits.”