MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE FORTY THIRD MEETING OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ON
THURSDAY 29 MARCH 2001
Present:
Mr D Kennedy (Chairman)
Mrs E Bell
Mr T Gallagher
Mr T Hamilton
Mr B McElduff
Mr G McHugh
Mr K Robinson
Apologies:
Mr J Fee
Mr O Gibson
Mrs P Lewsley
Mr S Wilson
In Attendance:
Mrs C Darrah
Mrs J McMurray
Miss J Adair
Ms C Angelone
The Committee met at 10.55 a.m. in private session.
The Chairman informed members that Mrs Lewsley was unwell and it was agreed that he would write expressing the Committee's good wishes for a speedy recovery.
1.Minutes of the Meeting of 22 March 2001
The minutes of the meeting of 22 March 2001 were agreed.
2. Matters arising from the Minutes of Proceedings
(i) Copies of the Committee response on the Department of Education's Bids for the Executive Programme Funds had been circulated. Members noted the contents of a letter from the Chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee regarding the Executive Programme Funds.(ii) Copies of the response on the "near final text" of the Regional Development
Strategy for Northern Ireland had been circulated.
3. Chairman's Business
(i) The Chairman advised members that the Minister of Education had written regarding the Review of School Information and Prospectuses. Members instructed the Clerk to prepare a draft reply to the Minister regarding the proposed timetable for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee. (ii) The Chairman advised members that the Minister of Education had written seeking the Committee's comments on the draft " Learning for Tomorrow's World: A Strategy for the Education and Development of Children and Young People". Members agreed that arrangements should be made for Departmental Officials to brief the Committee on the consultation exercise undertaken to inform the Strategic Plan. Further consideration would also be given to its relationship with the Programme for Government/Public Service Agreement. (iii)The Chairman informed the Committee that an Inquiry into the Appointment of an Independent Commissioner for Children was being undertaken by the Committee of the Centre. To inform the Committee's consideration of the matter, it was agreed to commission research on education issues that may be appropriate for the remit and responsibilities of a Commissioner.
4. Discussion of draft Committee Work Programme
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the draft Committee Work Programme until the dates for the elections had been decided. The Chairman advised members that arrangements had been made for officials to attend the meeting on 5 April to discuss the consultation paper on pre-school settings.
5. Evidence Session with the Transferor Representatives Council on Post-Primary Education (Public)
As part of the Committee's consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education, the Chairman welcomed Canon McKelvey, the Rev. McAllistair, Mr Orr and the Rev. Glenny to the meeting. They gave oral evidence on the submission by the Transferor Representatives Council to the Committee on post-primary education and this was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Areas discussed included:
- The deficiencies and benefits of the current transfer system
- The need to recognise genuine fears about the Review process and ensure community confidence in the education system
- The need for community ownership of education through the establishment of local community education audits
- The need to ensure parity of esteem between academic and vocational education
- The most appropriate age of transfer to post-primary education
- The curriculum
- Possible systems of post-primary education
- The lack of a representative body for Controlled schools
Hansard recorded the evidence for publication in due course.
6. Evidence Session with the Association of Headteachers in Secondary Schools on Post-Primary Education
As part of the Committee's consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education, the Chairman welcomed Mr McCrea, Mr McKimm, Mr Rafferty and Mr Browne to the meeting. They gave oral evidence on the submission by the Association of Headteachers in Secondary Schools to the Committee on post-primary education and this was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Areas discussed included:
- The purpose and effectiveness of selection
- The deficiencies of the current transfer system
- The need to ensure parity of esteem between academic and vocational education
- The need to ensure the education system reflects the requirements of society and industry and commerce
- The benefits of a comprehensive system
- The need to consider current research on learning and teaching methods
Hansard recorded the evidence for publication in due course.
7. Discussion of the proposed Statutory Rule on the Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (Constitution) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the proposed Statutory Rule on the Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (Constitution) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 until the next meeting of the Committee.
8. Any other Business
(i) The Committee agreed a proposal by Mr Hamilton that it should hear evidence from representatives of preparatory schools as part of its consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education and instructed the Clerk to make the necessary arrangements. (ii) Mrs Bell reminded the Committee of a presentation by the Youth Committee of Save the Children on Monday 2 April in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings. (iii) Mr McElduff requested a copy of the research into the effects of children carrying heavy school bags and the Committee agreed it would be useful to bring the information to the attention of all members.
9. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday 5 April 2001 at 11.15 a.m.
The meeting closed at 1.00 p.m.
DANNY KENNEDY
Committee Chairman