To ask the Minister of Education whether he intends (i) to recommend a postponement of primary seven transfer tests this autumn; and (ii) to instruct post-primary schools to make available their entry criteria for September 2021 as soon as possible anticipating postponement or cancellation.

Responsibility for setting the dates of the transfer tests lies with the test providers rather than my Department. You will be aware that the test providers have now announced that the tests have been moved to January 2021.

Admissions criteria, meanwhile, are a matter for individual Boards of Governors, however my Department is currently working with the Education Authority (EA) to determine the post-primary admissions timetable for 2021 and this timetable will set a deadline for Boards of Governors to supply their criteria for September 2021 admission. This date will allow the EA to publish admissions criteria at least six weeks before the deadline for nominating preferences.