Western Education and Library Board
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| Minister for Education | Peter Weir (politician) |
|---|---|
| Budget | £1.894 billion |
| Primary languages | English, Irish |
| System type | National |
| Compulsory education | 1827 |
| Total | 99% |
| Male | 99% |
| Female | 99% |
Coordinates: 54°38′24″N 5°40′34″W / 54.640°N 5.676°W
Education in Northern Ireland differs from systems used elsewhere in the United Kingdom, although it is relatively similar to Wales. A child's age on 1 July determines the point of entry into the relevant stage of education, unlike England and Wales where it is 1 September. Northern Ireland's results at GCSE and A-Level are consistently top in the UK. At A-Level and BTEC level 3, one third of students in Northern Ireland achieved A and distinction grades in 2007, which is a higher proportion than in England and Wales.
The Department of Education (DE) is responsible for Northern Ireland's education policy, with the exception of the higher and further education sector which is the responsibility of the Department for the Economy (DfE).
The Department of Education's main areas of responsibility cover pre-school, primary, post-primary and special education; the youth service; the promotion of community relations within and between schools; and teacher education and salaries. Its primary statutory duty is to promote the education of the people of Northern Ireland and to ensure the effective implementation of education policy.
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