Children must be at the centre – not institutions
We
need to put children’s needs at the centre – it is our duty, our responsibility
and we must rise to the challenge.
That
was the message from the Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane as she made a
keynote speech to the education community in the Titanic Pump House today.
Speaking
at the event, the Minister said:
"My mission, my responsibility as Minister is to enable every young person
to fulfil her or his full potential, to ensure that every child receives the
highest quality of teaching and learning at every stage in their education and
that equality is at the core of everything we do.
"Despite the best efforts of many, our
education system is letting too many children down – 4,500 are leaving primary
school without basic literacy and numeracy skills and by the end of
post-primary, almost 11,000 leave school without five good GSCE's including
literacy and maths. This cannot continue.
"There is much discussion around the education
sector about post-primary transfer. For decades our education system has been
flawed and disadvantages many of our young people, but thankfully the 11 plus
is now gone and will not be coming back. While this is a very important issue,
there are many, many other reforms on-going in the Department, there is much
exciting work happening across the education sector and we will continue with
this work to create a better education system.”
The
Minister continued: "Today, I have
outlined the interconnected and complementary reforms which are intended to
revitalise and invigorate our system, ranging from ESA; Every School A Good
School; the Revised Literacy and Numeracy Strategy; the Early Years Strategy;
the Review of Irish-Medium Education; the Revised Curriculum and Sustainable
Schools. We need to step up a gear, push forward with the reforms and make our
education system one to be proud of.
"One of the major reforms taking place is the
Entitlement Framework, which will
be a statutory requirement from 2013. From today, I am spelling out to all post-primary schools that I want to
see a change in pace, a stepping up of efforts. All schools will be required to demonstrate how they will effectively
deliver the Entitlement Framework and seek to maximise choice for children in
the future - I want to ensure their plans are not only robust but will deliver
a high quality learning experience."
The
Minister outlined five pillars around which the education system will be
developed:
·
raising standards for all;
·
closing the gap in achievement by improving access and equity;
·
enhancing the quality of teaching by developing our workforce;
·
improving the learning environment through targeted investment; and
·
transforming management cutting out bureaucracy and delivering the support that
schools need.
During
her speech, the Minister referred to the 'Together towards Entitlement', report
which is soon to be published by the Area Based Planning Group chaired by
Adeline Dinsmore.
The
Minister said: "Area Based
Planning is a key piece of work for my Department and a significant amount of
work has been completed in this area. Area Based Planning will drive the
reshaping of our estate and the consequential investment plans. I have
commissioned a review of current projects to ensure that all are consistent
with the overall policy framework and will be viable and sustainable in the
long term.
"In the current budget period, 2008-2011, I
intend to invest some £718million on school and youth services and over the
10-year period to 2018, total planned investment is £3.5billion.
"I will soon be able to publish the area-based
planning report which sets out a road map to delivering a better, more
equitable post-primary education system that will serve the needs of all our
young people. I want to thank all involved in producing this report, both at
the central and local levels. Their invaluable work will help to shape the
future of education."