Within the context of the Good Friday Agreement provision was made for the North-South Ministerial Council to have an education sector format within which the Ministers for Education, North and South, could agree the basis for taking forward matters for co-operation having regard to the common concerns and interests of both sides. It was agreed that, initially, the focus would be on co-operation in relation to education for children with special needs, educational under-achievement, teacher qualifications, and school, youth and teacher exchanges.