The Minister was joined by Minister of Education & Science, Batt O’Keeffe, to discuss Cross Border Cooperation in the Education Sector.
During the meeting, the Minister updated the Committee on a range of progressive reforms taking place in the north of Ireland including Transfer 2010 and tackling educational underachievement.
The Minister said: “I have been undertaking a radical programme of change and improvement across the whole education sector in the north. The inequalities inherent in the rigid system of education, which had changed little in 60 years, could no longer be tolerated.
“I set out an agenda of change which would tackle educational underachievement and deliver excellence, not for the few, but for all, placing all young people and equality at the core.
“I intend to build a modern and flexible education system, with interconnecting policies which are fit for purpose in the 21st century. It is a priority for me that our two education systems work together and harmonise as much as possible - to share best practice and tackle common problems together.”
The Minister also touched on a number of other key issues throughout the meeting including the Review of Irish Medium Education and the Middletown Centre for Autism.
The Minister said: “The Middletown Centre for Autism in County Armagh is a ground-breaking north south project currently providing a research and information service and training and advice for parents, teachers and other professionals. So far, this has benefited over 2,300 individuals. I look forward to the full rollout of services, including an educational assessment service and learning support service, as soon as possible.”
Lean an tAire le rá; “Fanaim tiomanta do theacht ar Ghaeloideachas a chur chun cinn i mórán ceantar ina maireann an t-éileamh air agus leanfaidh mé de bheith ag obair chun na ceanglais atá orainn faoi Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta a sholáthar. Tá rath agus bláth ar earnáil an Ghaeloideachais agus tá muid ag iniúchadh, le comhghleacaithe sa deisceart agus le hearnáil an Ghaeloideachais fud fad na hÉireann, cén dóigh is féidir linn réimse agus infhaighteacht acmhainní curaclaim an Ghaeloideachais a mhéadú do scoileanna."
The Minister continued: “I also remain committed to promoting access to Irish Medium education in the many areas where demand exists and will continue working to deliver the obligations on us from the Good Friday Agreement. The Irish Medium sector is thriving and through the Review of Irish Medium Education we are exploring, with southern colleagues and with the Irish medium sector across Ireland, how to increase the range and availability of Irish medium curricular resources for schools.”
The Minister concluded: “There is a lot of cooperation in education going on, both formally within the North South Ministerial Council and informally through a range of contacts and initiatives and I want to continue to encourage both strands.”
Notes to editors:
- Media queries to the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
