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The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. today (Tuesday 30 April) welcomed the publication of the Action Plan for Education 2019 Quarter 1 progress report. 

The Action Plan – Cumasú is based on the idea of empowering through learning. The Plan highlights the significant strategic reform programme under way in the education and training sector. This enables the Department to respond in an agile way to the demands of today’s society at the same time as maintaining a focus on sustainable, carefully paced reform, in order to empower learners. 

Progress during the year is monitored through published quarterly reports, ensuring transparent information. Today’s publication is the first report for 2019, and outlines progress made on the 28 actions due for delivery in quarter 1. The report provides details on achievements and an update on actions where significant progress has been made, but where it has been necessary to adjust the target date. Overall, it shows that progress is being made towards achieving the Department’s high level goals, which together will help to empower through learning.  

Commenting on today’s publication, Minister McHugh said: “Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Skills, I have engaged in a series of meetings with our key partners. I have listened to their feedback and we have made adjustments to the scale and sequence of changes underway across the sector. 

“This partnership approach has been used for the development of the 2019 Plan. This means that the Plan represents the voices of those who are on the ground delivering services, as well as those who are working with them to put in place the right guiding strategies and systems. By working in this way, we can continue to improve options and outcomes for all learners.” 

A total of 24 actions have been delivered in quarter one (an 86% achievement rate), including: 

• Launch of a consent framework for deployment by the higher education institutions
• Commencement of  the longitudinal study of the Digital Learning Framework and its implementation in schools
• Commencing the implementation of the new model of Special Educational Needs Inspections in post-primary schools
• Publication of the “ICT Skills Action Plan 2019-2022”
• Development of a model of demand for post-primary schools by analysing patterns of transfer from primary to post-primary
• Commencement of the establishment of new Music Education Partnerships as part of the national expansion of Music Generation
• Commencing the 18-month cluster programme "Excellence through Collaborative Leadership and Management Scheme"
• Launching the “Innovation in the Department of Education and Skills” Initiative (IDEAS) within the Department with two distinct streams: Secretary General's Challenge and the IDEAS Bank

• Initiating the development of an evaluation framework through which outcomes of students with special educational needs are measured
• Implementation of Brexit-related changes to the student support architecture to ensure Irish and British students remain eligible for grant supports for the 2019/20 academic year.

Notes to Editors

Action Plan for Education 2019: Cumasú – Empowering through Learning is available here: Plan

A link to the Progress Report is available here: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Corporate-Reports/Strategy-Statement/action-plan-for-education-2019-quarter-1-progress-report.pdf 

The Action Plan for Education 2019 outlines those actions which the Department will deliver this year in order to make progress towards the goals for the sector set out in the Statement of Strategy: 

1. We will shape a responsive education and training system that meets the needs and raises the aspirations of all learners
2. We will advance the progress of learners at risk of educational disadvantage and learners with special educational needs in order to support them to achieve their potential
3. We will equip education and training providers with the skills and support to provide a quality learning experience
4. We will intensify the relationships between education and the wider community, society and the economy
5. We will lead in the delivery of strategic direction and supportive systems in partnership with key stakeholders in education and training

 The Action Plan recognises a combination of reform activity and critical business functions, and details over 220 actions to be achieved before the end of the year.