Ulster University and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) launch ‘Transforming Education- Northern Ireland’, a compendium of 24 research papers examining divisions within our education system and exploring inclusive alternatives at Parliament Buildings, Stormont on Tuesday 24 March.
The Transforming Education project, led by Ulster University and supported by the IEF, aims to highlight areas where Northern Ireland’s education system could be more effective. It does so through a series of accessible briefing papers. Many of these papers examine issues such as policies on integration and separate schooling; pupil demographics and enrolment patterns across school types, sectors and geographic areas. They also explore current arrangements for school governance and teacher education, recruitment, and employment practices, including implications for fair employment, as well as the statutory requirements for religious education and worship in schools.
The compendium ‘Transforming Education – Northern Ireland’ was launched on 24 March at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, with a keynote address from the Chair of the Northern Ireland Independent Review of Education Dr Keir Bloomer alongside contributions from two of the project’s authors – Dr Stephen Roulston from Ulster University and independent researcher Dr Matt Milliken. There was also a panel discussion, including the Chair of the Education Committee Nick Mathison MLA and Dr Stephen Roulston.
One of the Transforming Education project researchers Dr Stephen Roulston, Research Fellow at Ulster University, said:
“Today is a significant day as we mark the publication of the ‘Transforming Education – Northern Ireland’ compendium. This compendium is comprised of 24 individual papers which are the result of many years of extensive research into a range of complex issues facing education in Northern Ireland today.
We need a system of education is needed that is fit for the 21st Century – this generation and future generations deserve this legacy. The issue facing reformers this time around is not just about accessing more money to maintain a broken system. It is beyond doubt that more investment is required – the Independent Review of Education identifies Northern Ireland as having a highly underfunded education system with chronically constrained budgets. But it is more than that – it is about having an informed and open debate about what sort of education system we want. We need one which is sustainable, which meets the needs of young people and which also works towards a cohesive society, if we are going to move to a truly shared future.
The purpose of the project is to stimulate that debate among teachers, educationalists, decision-makers and the wider public.”
Dr Keir Bloomer, Chair of the Northern Ireland Independent Review of Education, is the keynote speaker at the launch. Dr Bloomer commented:
“A good education system also needs an intellectual life of its own. In the case of Northern Ireland this has largely been provided by the admirable series of Transforming Education papers produced by Ulster University. These have covered a wide range of topics such as the careers service, improving the transition process, school governance, pre-school education and citizenship education. There has been an emphasis on tackling inequality and its causes…
The papers are relatively short and highly readable. They were intended to reach a wide audience and influence public debate. The controversy that they have frequently provoked suggests that they have been successful in these aims. There can be no doubt that they will continue to exert influence for many years to come.”
Paul Caskey OBE, Chief Executive of the Integrated Education Fund, observed:
“The IEF is delighted to be here at the launch of such a significant publication. The Transforming Education publication is the culmination of a long project with 24 varied and important papers. Having supported the project since the first paper, the IEF is delighted to see so many people come together to welcome this publication. This important work is of great value as we look to the future of schools in Northern Ireland. We welcome all conversation that contributes to making schools in Northern Ireland more inclusive and fit for purpose to educate children and young people in Northern Ireland today.”
