Current education administration is not sustainable - Ruane

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has agreed the Convergence Delivery Plan which will allow streamlining of education administration to continue.

On 1 December the Minister advised the Assembly that as the Executive’s target date for the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) would not be met transitional governance and management arrangements would be put in place. A Convergence Delivery Plan would also be developed to maintain the reform momentum while ensuring the existing education organisations continue to deliver key policies and services.

The Minister said: “It is essential that in order to raise educational standards, promote equality and address significant pressures on resources, we streamline the administration and management of education. I have agreed the Convergence Delivery Plan which will ensure the momentum of change is not lost in the period up to the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority.

“The Education budget is facing major pressures next year and beyond. The savings we had expected to make through ESA have already been taken out of our budget so we must now move to streamline the existing structures and processes and so help to protect the front line as far as possible.

“It is important that during this period, work to tackle underachievement through raising standards is prioritised. We need to ensure that delivery of high quality educational services is consistent in every area so all our children and young people have full access to the best education we can provide.”

The Convergence Delivery Plan forms a key part of the transitional governance and management arrangements outlined by the Minister on 1 December, which also included the appointment of members to some education organisations.

Boards should have a Committee structure to consider issues on a regional basis. Committees are proposed for Finance and HR; Education Standards; Operational Services and Children and Young People’s Services.

There will be a Programme Management Board chaired by the Chairperson designate and including the Chairpersons of the five Boards, to oversee the work of the Committees and ensure a strong co-ordinated approach to the work; provide direction to the existing organisations; and monitor progress on delivery.

The Plan identifies a range of important services to be taken forward on a regionally managed basis. This includes back office functions as well as major educational support services.

The Chief Executive designate, who is an additional Accounting Officer of the Department, and the ESA Directors designate, will lead the work on the regionally managed services working with the existing organisations.

Notes to editors:

1. A copy of the Convergence Delivery Plan is available on the Department of Education website.