The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes a commitment for a Citizens’ Assembly on the future of education. Experience internationally and here at home of citizen’s assemblies as exercises in deliberative democracy have been extremely positive.
Typically, Citizens' Assemblies have been established by individual Oireachtas Resolutions, which have set out their terms of reference. I understand that initial proposals to hold a citizens' assembly on education have been informed by proposals from the Burren College of Art, which called for the Assembly to examine issues such as how to properly position post-primary education for
the 21st century and how to encourage greater creativity, student agency and resilience.
My three year strategy and annual implementation plan are expected to be published soon. These will incorporate priority actions from the Programme for Government including the Citizen’s Assembly on the Future of Education.