Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan has urged the Education Minister to make tackling educational underachievement a priority for his department.

The West Belfast MLA said:

“Our education system here delivers fantastic results for a lot of young people but there are many who aren’t reaching their full potential.

“Children and young people from working-class backgrounds are much more likely to leave school without any formal qualifications.

“I spoke directly to the Education Minister today and urged him to take action on the issue and to make it a priority.

“We need to level the playing field and we need to get on with it urgently.

“We need to prioritise funding for early years, champion emotional health and well-being, support our teachers and make the curriculum and the exam process relevant to the needs of young people.

“Sinn Féin will work with all parties to tackle underachievement and to ensure we give our children and young people the opportunities they deserve.”