Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is due back at his education desk in Bangor, Co Down, this morning, as the Northern Ireland Executive gets a restart and he resumes duties as the North's Minister for Education.

While his previous few weeks in the job are widely regarded as having been successful, McGuinness is only beginning to deal with the big issues, including, most notably, the future of the 11-plus exam. Other potential controversies include the future of small rural schools and the place of the Irish language. His duties do not include third-level education.

He must also contend with being the focus of unionist opposition to the power-sharing executive. The question, "Do you really want Martin McGuinness to be responsible for your children?", is sure to keep reverberating.