Commenting on the publication of GCSE results in Northern Ireland, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union, said:

“Students and their teachers have worked hard to secure their results this year and their efforts should be congratulated.

“It must be remembered that results this year continue to be impacted by the disruption caused by Covid-19 so comparisons should not be made with previous years before the pandemic.

“The widening gap in levels of attainment seen in results between students from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers does require action.

“While some important mitigations have been retained we have seen a lack of investment in education recovery. This has fallen behind the investment seen in other nations and regions.
 
“There has been no credible education recovery plan meaning that the education system is not meeting the needs of many of Northern Ireland’s children.

“Schools have been left to pick up the pieces with the support they need and in particular there has been an absence of sufficient mental health services to address the emotional and social needs of pupils.”
 
 Justin McCamphill, NASUWT National Official Northern Ireland, said:

“Pupils and their teachers are being let down in almost every aspect of education provision by politicians.

“Today’s results have been secured in spite of the lack of funding for education and specialist support services many pupils need. Unless action is taken to address this levels of performance will suffer and attainment gaps will continue to grow.

“Teachers, who have worked flat out to support their pupils during this extremely difficult period, are facing yet another academic year with no pay award and falling incomes.

“In the face of intransigence from our politicians, industrial action is more likely as the failure to fund the education system adequately continues. Our members will fight for the future of the education system and to secure the futures of all children and young people.”