Northern Ireland's Education Minister announced reforms to post-16 qualifications that eliminate AS levels. The changes affect A-level courses in schools and colleges.

Alliance Party Education Spokesperson Nick Mathison MLA, chair of the Assembly Education Committee, opposed the removal of AS levels. He stated that teachers and pupils in the region support retaining them.

AS levels make up the initial year of two-year A-level programmes completed after GCSEs by many sixth-form students.

Education policy remains devolved to the Stormont Assembly, where discussions shape qualification structures to meet local needs.