To ask the Minister of Education whether he intends to extend the mid-term break period at Halloween; and when this will be formally notified to all schools.

My Department has no plans to amend or extend the agreed and published school holiday arrangements for the mid-term break.

The harmonised dates, agreed by the Education Authority and key stakeholders, take into account issues such as school transport and meal arrangements, are 29 and 30 October 2020. While these dates provide a basis from which to determine their mid-term calendar, schools have the discretion to set their own operational days and do not therefore need to adhere strictly to the dates set by the Authority.