The Council meets in the Education Sector in order to make decisions on common policies and approaches in areas such as education for children with special needs, educational under-achievement, teacher qualifications and school, youth and teacher exchanges.
The agreed work programme includes:
Special Education Policy and Inclusion
Supporting and developing the Middletown Centre for Autism
The exchange of information and expertise on meeting educational needs
Closer collaboration in the development of policy responses across the range of special educational needs
The scope for collaboration in the provision of highly specialised services
Areas where joint surveys or research would be beneficial in assessing needs
2. Educational Disadvantage
The exchange of expertise and experience in catering for children who are at risk of educational disadvantage
The scope for collaboration in the development of initiatives to address educational disadvantage
The scope for sharing information on research into educational disadvantage and the scope for joint research or pilot initiatives
Links between schools and educational organisations in both jurisdictions to facilitate co-operation on operational issues
Specific issues relevant to both Departments such as the needs of traveller children
3. Teacher Qualifications
Barriers to the movement of teachers between North and South at both primary and post-primary level, including the Irish language requirement, superannuation entitlements and approval of qualifications, and the scope for removing or ameliorating these
The development of General Teaching Councils in both jurisdictions and co-operation between them, with a view to rationalising approaches to teacher qualifications
Collaboration in teacher education in areas of mutual benefit such as training of teachers for Irish-medium education
4. School, Youth & Teaching Exchanges
A more integrated and coherent approach to exchanges, including the clarification of policy objectives, targets and common criteria for the assessment of exchanges
The scope for the further development of exchanges in areas or sectors which have not previously participated
Issues of concern in both jurisdictions such as child protection arrangements, measures focused on disadvantaged children and young people, evaluation and research, conflict resolution and cross-community activity
Mechanisms for facilitating co-operation in the area of Youth Exchanges, including the need for linkages between the Youth Council for Northern Ireland and the Irish National Youth Council
5. Digital/Artificial Intelligence issues in schools and Education
Cooperation and sharing of knowledge and best practice on the use of and teaching of digital technologies skills in the classroom
The scope for sharing information on research into the emerging impact that Artificial Intelligence is having on the education system
Closer collaboration in the development of policy responses in relation to the challenges and opportunities associated with Artificial Intelligence
6. Early Years Education
Cooperation and sharing of knowledge and best practice in Early Years Education
The scope for sharing information on research in Early Years Education, including research on models and structures and on skills and governance aspects
7. Cooperation under the Common Travel Area Education MOU
The scope for exchanges of best practice and knowledge on international education and EU developments.
You can view Education Sector Joint Communiques in the Publications section.