Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education whether any assessment has been made of the benefits of introducing structured vocational education pathways for pupils aged 11 to 14.
Minister of Education: The Key Stage 3 curriculum was designed to be broad and balanced, with a focus on building secure foundations of knowledge, understanding and skills, and avoiding early specialisation.
A new statutory curriculum framework is being designed which will strengthen the quality, coherence and relevance of KS3 for all learners., establish strong subject foundations, alongside an enhanced Personal, Social, Citizenship and Careers (PSCC) area of learning that introduces clear and consistent careers education from an early stage.
This will ensure that all young people have equitable access to high-quality information and guidance about future pathways, so they are better informed when making GCSE and post14 choices.
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