The Northern Ireland Audit Office published a report assessing education quality across more than 1,400 schools and early years settings. Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville oversaw the report. It highlights gaps in performance data for Key Stages 1 to 3, limiting monitoring of progress and policy effects.

Education Minister Paul Givan welcomed the report. He stated high-quality education supports child wellbeing and Northern Ireland's prosperity. Givan noted the need for reliable early assessments in literacy and numeracy. The TransformED strategy introduces checks at ages 8, 11, and 14.

Industrial action disrupted school inspections for nearly a decade. Between 2018 and 2023, only 13 primary schools received full inspections unaffected by action. No post-primary schools had such inspections in that period.

The disruptions reduced assurance on teaching quality, safeguarding, and support for children with special educational needs. Education Authority spending on special educational needs will reach £620 million in 2024-25. Nearly £3 billion funds the education system annually.

Givan emphasized inspections provide assurance to parents and evaluate public spending. His department proposed legislation to protect the inspection process. He urged political parties to back the bill, noting Northern Ireland lacks such legal safeguards.

Carville said GCSE and A-level results have improved, with strong international performance. She stressed good data and inspections as key to improvement. TransformED aligns with recommendations for earlier assessments and accountability reforms.

Givan described TransformED as the largest education reform in over a decade. It addresses assessment, improvement, inspection, and accountability issues raised in the report.