Photograph: PacemakerPaul Givan, Stormont’s DUP Minister for Education, is a creationist. However, he had nothing to do with the religious education curriculum or the rules on worship. However, creating the new body was recommended by an independent review of the education system that concluded the year before Givan became Minister. The same review recommended conducting a separate review into the general school curriculum - the religious education curriculum is devised separately. He and they were clearly influenced by the reforms begun in 2010 in England under Conservative education minister Michael Gove.

Source: The Irish Times January 01, 2026 15:43 UTC