Ms Guy has said: "It’s incredibly concerning that the Education Permanent Secretary, the most senior official in the department, has yet again been prevented from appearing in front of the committee.

"The role of the Education Committee is to scrutinise what the Minister and his department are doing on behalf of teachers, school staff, youth workers, parents and young people. He may have no respect for me or my colleagues on the committee, but he should have some respect for the constituents we represent and their right to transparency and accountability.

"Education is in a state of crisis. The department is operating on a projected overspend of hundreds of millions, yet schools are left with no clarity on whether they will receive the resources they need in order to function. Not being able to ask questions of those in positions of power is unacceptable.

"This is a shameful overreach from the Education Minister and he must stop this boycott immediately.

"As a committee member, I focus my questions on the crucial issues impacting school staff, pupils, and families. This is nothing but bluster and deflection, and it must be made clear that Minister Givan cannot simply opt out of scrutiny."