Year 11 students at Drumragh Integrated College in Tyrone questioned local politicians on education reforms, the conflict involving Iran and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s decision not to attend St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the White House.

The event took place on Friday as part of Integrated Education Month under the theme ‘Better Together’.

Panel members included Cllr John McClaughry of the Ulster Unionist Party, Declan McAleer MLA of Sinn Féin and Daniel McCrossan MLA of the SDLP.

Students Reilly Crawford, Ella Corrigan, Aoife Boland, Nualah Hasson and Katie McDermott led the questions, with classmates forming the audience.

Brenda Kerrin, head of history and politics at the school, chaired the discussion. Helen McLaughlin, the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator, joined the panel.

School principal Imelda Kirk welcomed the political representatives. She stated students represent Northern Ireland’s future teachers, solicitors, leaders and politicians, and their voices must be heard, listened to and acted upon.

Kirk thanked the representatives for attending and urged them to keep representing young people’s needs.