The Ulster Unionist Party has nominated Andy McMorran, the former Principal of Ashfield Boys High School in Belfast to the new Education Authority.
Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt said:
“The establishment of the Education Authority is one of the most important developments in education in many years. Under the D'Hondt system being used to allocate positions, my party can nominate one person onto the board, which will replace the 5 Education and Library Boards in April. That person, I am delighted to say, is Dr Andy McMorran OBE.
“Andy is just the sort of common sense voice which will be needed on the Education Authority, and using our pick to appoint a non-party member shows we will not use the education of our children as a political football - education is much more important than that.”
Ulster Unionist Party education spokesperson Danny Kinahan MLA said:
“There are few people in Northern Ireland who have the experience that Andy has, and few that have had such a positive influence in the field of education. I am so pleased that he has chosen to be our representative on the new Education Authority and look forward to seeing his dynamism in action on the Board.”
Andy McMorran was awarded an OBE in 2005 for services to education, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster in 2012.