AQW 9997/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 10/11/2020
Answered On Date: 18/11/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the New Decade, New Approach commitment of the reform of education.

Answer:

In March, I temporarily suspended work on the Independent Review so that staff could be redeployed to deal with urgent Covid 19 related matters. I have, however, recently asked for planning work to be recommenced. As a result, in the coming weeks, I will table a draft Terms of Reference for the Independent Review at the Executive for consideration and comment.

In line with the New Decade New Approach document, the Independent Review will cover a wide range of issues relating to education design and delivery. The Review will focus on the education journey and outcomes of children and young people; support for schools and settings; and system level design, delivery and administration.

The Review is expected to provide a strategic and evidence based assessment of the effectiveness of the current education system in Northern Ireland and the outcomes it delivers for children and young people.

The Review itself will commence in 2021, once an open recruitment process has been undertaken to establish an appropriate Panel. I intend to ask the Panel to report within 15 months of taking up post, with an interim report to be prepared within 9 months.