Education Committee Inquiry Into Shared and Integrated Education

The inquiry seeks to examine how Shared and Integrated Education are delivered across Northern Ireland, whether there is a need for a formal, statutory definition of Shared Education and a legal obligation for its promotion and encouragement.

The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry are to -

• Review the nature and definition of Shared Education and Integrated Education as it applies across all educational phases – including consideration of the need for a formal statutory definition and an obligation in statute to facilitate and encourage Shared Education;
• Identify the key barriers and enablers for Shared Education and Integrated Education;
• Identify and analyse alternative approaches and models of good practice in other jurisdictions in terms of policy interventions and programmes;
• Consider what priorities and actions need to be taken to improve sharing and integration – including the effectiveness of the relevant parts of the CRED policy; the need to engage more effectively with parents/carers; and the role of Special Schools; and
• Report to the Assembly on its findings and recommendations by Spring 2015.

The Committee is keen to hear from all interested parties. Submissions should be made in writing to [email protected]. The closing date for written submissions is 24 October 2014.

More information on the Inquiry is available here.