Exams ‘not likely to go ahead in Northern Ireland’

GCSE, AS and A-level schools examinations in Northern Ireland are not likely to go ahead this year, PA news agency understands.

Stormont Education Minister Peter Weir is due to make an announcement in Stormont’s Assembly later on Wednesday.

It comes amid stricter lockdown measures to stop a rise in transmission of coronavirus and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by new cases.

Sinn Fein’s education spokesperson Karen Mullan said: “This decision not to go ahead with this year’s GCSE, AS and A-level because of the pandemic and the disruption to young people’s education is the right thing to do.

“Exams are stressful at any time but this year young people have been placed under so much more stress and worry as a result of Covid and its impact on their education.

“We now need to see the Education Minister bring forward credible alternative arrangements which avoid the debacle of last year and recognise the hard work put in by both students and teachers.”