AQW 29354/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 26/06/2025
Answered On Date: 04/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to outline the steps his Department has taken to develop global citizenship education for (i) primary; and (ii) post-primary pupils.

Answer:

Citizenship education is a statutory component of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, designed to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to participate meaningfully in democratic life and contribute to inclusive, cohesive communities both locally and globally.

At primary level, citizenship is embedded within Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, addressing themes such as diversity, cultural heritage, inclusion, human rights, and conflict resolution. At post-primary level, Local and Global Citizenship is delivered through Learning for Life and Work, enabling pupils to critically explore issues like prejudice, racism, and social justice.

The Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, published on 3 June 2025, provides a compelling case for comprehensive curriculum reform. The report makes twenty-one recommendations and sets out the need for a new curriculum framework that is purpose-led; knowledge-rich; continuous and coherent; specific and focussed; and flexible and inclusive. The Review recommends the rebranding and redesigning of LLW, as well as the need for a new Citizenship, Employability and Personal Development Programme.

I have announced my intention to establish a Curriculum Taskforce to lead the design and development of a new curriculum framework that embodies the principles recommended by the Review and meets the evolving needs of learners across Northern Ireland. The Taskforce will be operational in Autumn 2025