Education Minister John O'Dowd's Twitter Q&A - Transcript of questions and answers

Education Minister John O'Dowd has taken part in the Northern Ireland Executive's first live Twitter Q&A.

Minister O'Dowd answered 26 questions over an hour on a range of topics. The full transcript of the Q&A is available below.

Q&A Transcript

From @niexecutive - Education Minister John O'Dowd up next to answer questions. Just arriving from a visit to Wellington College, Belfast #AskDE

Question 1 - from @ColininNI  

#askDE to what extent will the review announced recently include the efficiency of maintaining 5 ELBs?

Answer - @ColininNI Viability audit does not include Boards. I aim to replace Boards and other bodies with single Education & Skills Authority #AskDE

Question 2 - from @boo50hoo

@niexecutive #AskDE Why did Mr O'Dowd not brief the Education Boards before his speech two weeks ago. The SELB is not following his criteria

Answer - @boo50hoo All ELBs were briefed on day of speech. Terms of ref for audit will be on DE website soon #AskDE

Question 3 – from @nbonnes

#AskDE In the minister's opinion what would be the ideal model for the Randalstown/Ballymena post-primary provision?

Answer - @nbonnes the area planning process will identify proposals for all areas including Randalstown. I await proposals from ELBs #AskDE

Question 4 – from @collapsibubble

Will you consider removing compulsory xian religious participation from schools? Schools should educate and churches preach. #AskDE

Answer - @collapsibubble Schools deliver core RE topics, add to them as per ethos. Parents can withdraw children from RE classes if they wish #AskDE

Question 5 – from @Kilsally

#AskDE Does the minister foresee a move to a single education system for all to foster reconciliation and to save money? @1schoolthought

Answer - @Kilsally Better planning and greater sharing will promote reconciliation and efficiency #AskDE

Question 6 - from @Gary_NI

@niexecutive my mum is a substitute teacher with 25yrs experience in full time teaching. Is she now considered past her use by date? #AskDE

Answer - @Gary_NI Most certainly not, we value all our teaching staff #AskDE

Question 7 – from @MrMalcontent

@JohnODowdSF so, did you have a look at how some teachers are willing to do their own CPD in NI? #tmbelfast #askDE

Answer- @MrMalcontent CPD, and teacher education in general, is currently under review - see link http://ow.ly/6Wd7h #AskDE

Question 8 - from @derd28

@JohnODowdSF #AskDE when are you going to sort this transfer test mess out? Despicable the level of stress put on children. Action needed!

Answer - @derd28 Transfer policy requires no tests. Many good schools do not use academic selection #AskDE

Question 9 - from @Wiseabap

Time to end schools inherent homophobia and their exemption from equality duties Minister O'Dowd #askDE ow.ly/1yuAVX @niexecutive

Answer - @Wiseabap Homophobia is unacceptable. See this link to see how we are tackling it http://ow.ly/6WdqC #AskDE

Question 10 - from @bradleyea

 #askDE what will you do to support & expand integrated sector? Not mow a regional option for many who would like to choose it.

Answer - @bradleyea I support parental choice in selection of schools for children, recognise value of Int sector along with all sectors #AskDE

Question 11 - from @rickyp119

Protestant schls don't teach GAA. Catholic schls dont teach cricket. Do U think more could be done to increase cultural...

Answer - @rickyp119 I don’t want to name names, schools decide. I accept your point but schools have flexibility and I want to preserve that #AskDE

Question 12 - from @rickyp119

Do you think GCSEs have now been devalued to the point of being meaningless? http://tinyurl.com/6y8u7md #askde

Answer - @rickyp119 Most definitely not #AskDE

Question 13 - from @jasonfisher6

 #ASKDE Minister prove that this audit is not a numbers game and you're not targeting the most vulnerable with most to lose

Answer - @Jasonfisher6 the criteria were laid out in my speech. Terms of ref public soon #AskDE

Question 14 - from @jasonfisher6

#ASKDE @niexecutive why are you allowing the SEELB to prevent Ballykeigle primary school from getting a new principal?

Answer - @Jasonfisher6 Appointment of principal is a matter for the SEELB. Principal is in place in Ballykeigle PS on a shared arrangement #AskDE

Question 15 - from @kiplisburn

#AskDE @JohnOdowdSF how does the minister plan to solve the problem of lack of jobs for NQTs?

Answer - @kiplisburn Assembly recently endorsed motion on difficulties faced by newly qualified teachers in gaining employment. Details here on niassembly website

Question 16 - from @kiplisburn

#AskDE what can be done to solve the problem of nursery place shortages? Many parents offered places far from home.

Answer - @kiplisburn I am currently studying the findings of a review #AskDE

Question 17 - from @kiplisburn

#AskDE Will politicians come to an agreement on the way forward with regards to post primary transfer? What is the next step?

Answer - @kiplisburn I am seeking political agreement on the way forward #AskDE

Question 18 - from @redriding

 Could I please #askDE the minister if he is aware of the proposals currently in process with a view to the closure of...

Answer - @redriding this issue would be better dealt with by letter as you have raised several concerns. DM me your details #AskDE

Question 19 - from @nocuts2011

#askDE. What has happened to the £250 that workers who earn under £21000pa were supposed to get?

Answer - @nocuts2011 we are working with DFP to resolve this #AskDE

Question 20 - from @helenhamill

school inspections are announced? they don't reflect reality of day to day provision. drop-in effective measure. tool? #askDE

Answer - @helenhamill All inspection matters are kept under review. The day to day work of a school is monitored via District Inspector visits #AskDE

Question 21 - from @kylep77

 #askDE @niexecutive In cases of school closures, will Mr O’Dowd be able to reallocate those teachers who are left jobless?

Answer - @kylep77 I am engaging with stakeholders to help address challenges #AskDE

Question 22 - from @ransom_stoddard

 Why is more money spent on maintaining grammar school standards rather than improving standards at the lower end #askDE

Answer - @ranson_stoddard Grammars not funded more than other schools. Schools with greater challenges given additional support #AskDE

Question 23 – from @davidwkerr

Does the Minister think post-primary education should allow children to pursue vocational subjects from 14yrs rather than academic? #AskDE

Answer - @davidwkerr The Entitlement Framework allows children to choose #AskDE

Question 24 - from @helenhamill

INSET is very costly and schools have use SEN budget to provide assistants. So teachers may have no INSET. Enforceable #askDE

Answer - @helenhamill New SEN resource file free to every school in Learning NI. Detailed info on teaching SEN based on outstanding practice #AskDE

Question 25 - from @davidwkerr

Education systems in other EU countries is there one system the Minister admires more than any other & we cld learn from? #AskDE

Answer - @davidwkerr I wish to create a system other EU states admire #AskDE

Question 26 - from @jsni

 With your background as a culinary expert - What 3 people would you have to your dinner party? #AskDe

Answer - @jsni I would like to invite Muhammad Ali, Billy Connolly and Michael Palin #AskDE

From @niexecutive - That’s it for John O’Dowd’s live Q&A. We hope you found it useful and engaging. Thanks for all the Qs, sorry if yours wasn’t answered. #AskDE