Developing a long-term education strategy
A National Convention on Education is to be established to develop a long-term education strategy informed by stakeholders from across the sector.
The Convention will mainly focus on primary and post-primary education. It will also explore the transition from early childhood to primary education, and from post-primary to further and higher education.
An agenda for the convention is due to be approved by the Government in 2026 following a national conversation and consultation between the public, early childhood education and school communities, and other stakeholders. The Government committed to the convention’s establishment in the 2025 Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future.
Former executive dean of Dublin City University’s Institute of Education, Anne Looney, will chair the convention. The Convention’s secretariat was appointed in November 2025. Deputy chairs were also appointed in the areas of children and young people; parents and guardians; school staff and early childhood educators; and education stakeholders.
As part of the next steps, an inter department group chaired by the Department of Education and Youth will be established. It will also comprise the Department of Children, Equality and Disability, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The convention was due to begin with a plenary session in mid-November 2025, but this session has not taken place as of early December 2025. Sessions will be held during 2026 and the convention’s findings are expected to be concluded in early 2027. Budget 2026 allocated €2 million to the convention.
Upon announcement of the convention, then-Minister for Education Helen McEentee TD said: “I am delighted to announce that this Convention on Education will commence later this year.
“It will be a truly inclusive process engaging with children, young people and their parents, school communities, education stakeholders, along with other stakeholders from within and outside the education system. All of the views gathered will be of great value in helping to inform and shape education policy now and into the future.”
National Education Convention of 1993
This is only the second National Education Convention in the history of the State. The first convention took place from 11 to 21 October 1993 at Dublin Castle and followed a period of significant momentum for education policy in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In January 1994, the report following the convention was published, after which a white paper titled Charting Our Education Future was published in April 1995. These contributed to the passing of the Universities (Ireland) Act in 1997, and the Education (Ireland) Act in 1998.
Subsequently, the Universities Act 1997 outlined universities’ objects and functions, and provides for key aspects of governance and accountability. It establishes the rights of universities to decide and charge fees, along with requirements for universities regarding budgeting and financial reporting. The Act also provides for the protection of academic freedom.
The Education Act 1998 aims to enable a child-centred education system. It affirmed the importance of meeting the needs of children and young people including those with SEN, those at risk of educational disengagement, and those who may struggle to access education. Additionally, the Act provides for delivery of “a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities” of people resident in the State.
Commenting on the 1993 convention and outlining how the upcoming event can be a catalyst for change, Minister McEntee said: “The last National Education Convention happened in 1993 and resulted in a number of significant reforms and developments.
“As we face new challenges and opportunities in today’s world, it is vital that as many voices as possible are heard and have the chance to help shape a world-class education system that breaks down barriers and supports every child and young person to thrive.”
Speaking to eolas magazine, Áine Hyland, emeritus professor of education at University College Cork, outlines the three outcomes from the 1993 convention she deems most significant:
- the Department’s recognition of Educate Together and An Foras Pátrúnachta as patrons of national schools;
- recognition of the rights of all children including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities; and
- acknowledgement of the opinions of parents and citizens.
Regarding the differences between the education and policy climate between 1993 and today, Hyland states: “A re-reading of the report of the National Education Convention 1994 shows that many of the issues and concerns that existed in 1993 still exist, and many of the recommendations of the 1993 convention were never implemented.”
The creation of regional education structures was one proposed measure arising from the convention that was not implemented. These were to be an intermediate tier between the Department of Education and schools. This was envisioned to free the Department up to concentrate on policy formation, strategic planning, and research.
Hyland says: “The Department of Education and Youth continues to be involved in minutiae and in details relating to individual schools, instead of focusing on broad policy formulation, and longer-term planning.”
