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Colleges of Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

In so far as this is a tidying-up order, we support it, but I cannot let the occasion pass without remarking on two things. The two colleges of education—Stranmillis and St Mary’s—have provided between them teachers of outstanding quality, which has put Northern Ireland in the forefront of education in the United Kingdom. That said, the two colleges reflect and reinforce the divided community, which is very unfortunate. I would have liked the tidying up, although recognising the distinctiveness of the two communities, to introduce a more unified and less sectarian approach to the provision of teachers. Apart from that, we will support it.