asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress to date in establishing a commission on teaching which he announced in February 2001. [9199/02]
Written Answers. - Commission on Education and Learning.
45.
The proposal to establish a commission on education and learning was announced by me last year in the context of the ASTI dispute, and this was subsequently endorsed by the Labour Court. The essential purpose of the commission is to take a broad look at the role of primary and post-primary education in meeting the needs of children and young people in a continually changing and evolving society. Draft terms of reference for the commission have been prepared and include such issues as legal and management structures within which schools operate, developments in education and teaching, the role of the teacher, teacher training and accreditation, support systems for schools and lifelong learning.
In establishing a high level commission with such an extensive brief, it is clearly necessary to ensure that it has at its disposal the necessary range of policy advice and educational expertise to facilitate it in its important work. My Department is currently pursuing this issue with a view to determining an appropriate composition for the commission having regard to its wide-ranging terms of reference. Proposals are well advanced and consultations with the partners will take place shortly in relation to the composition, terms of reference and timescale of the commission. It is my intention that the commission would be established as soon as possible.
Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 41.