Primary Schools Building Handbook updated

The Department of Education has published an updated handbook which sets out the specification and design standards for new primary schools.

Speaking about the new handbook Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said: “As Minister my priority is to ensure all our children have access to the best education available. It is therefore vital that we provide the highest quality school buildings to meet the current and future needs of teachers and pupils.

“This new handbook has been developed following consultation with primary school principals and reflects priorities they identified for 21st century schools. It is important that our schools are able to meet the changing needs of our school population as we work through a programme of progressive reforms. The handbook will be updated as required to reflect the changing needs of our schools.”

The review of the Primary Schools Building Handbook was undertaken by a working group with representatives from the Department of Education’s Building Branch, technical advisers from Building Advisory Branch and members of the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), part of whose remit is to ensure that the building environment is suitable to meet the needs of the curriculum.

The working group consulted widely with a group of Primary School Principals and other educationalists involved in the design and building of primary schools.

Notes to Editors:

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