Anti-agreement unionists criticised the appointment of Mr Martin McGuinness, of Sinn Fein, to the position of Minister of Education during an adjournment debate yesterday on disruption in schools.
Mr Sammy Wilson (DUP, East Belfast) described the appointment of Mr McGuinness as "an embarrassment" to the Department of the Education and said it had aroused great anger in the community.
Referring to the school protests after Mr McGuinness took office, Mr Wilson said the Minister was mistaken in thinking that these had been politically orchestrated. The protests had occurred because "within this community, there is a widespread loathing of the Minister because of his background". Mr Danny Kennedy, the Ulster Unionist chairman of the education scrutiny committee, said the appointment of the Minister had produced a "very negative response", especially in the unionist community.
Mr McGuinness said that he was working to an education agenda. "It is an agenda for all our children, and I hope that it will be on that agenda that members will judge my success as Minister of Education", he said.
Addressing the issue of discipline, the Minister said that each school was required to have a policy for the promotion of good behaviour among its pupils. However, the content of a school's policy and its sanctions were a matter for each school. "Guidelines on what should be included [in school policy] are under preparation and will be issued later this year", he said.
Mr Eamon O'Neill (SDLP, South Down) said that discipline was a growing problem within schools. He criticised unionists for "hijacking" Mr McGuinness.
Mr Jim Wells (DUP, South Down) told the Minister that he would not be a welcome visitor to any state school in his constituency.