MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY SEVENTH MEETING OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS ON TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2001

Present:
Mr D Kennedy (Chairman)
Mr S Wilson (Deputy Chairman)
Mrs E Bell
Mr T Gallagher
Mr O Gibson
Mr T Hamilton
Mr B McElduff
Mr K Robinson

Apologies:
Mr J Fee
Mrs P Lewsley

In Attendance:
Mrs C Darrah
;Miss J Adair
Mrs J McMurray
Ms C Angelone

The Committee met at 2.00 p.m. in private session.

1. Discussion of the Department of Education's draft Public Service Agreement

The Deputy Chairman welcomed officials from the Department of Education, Mr Stephen Peover, Deputy Secretary and Mr David Woods, Head of Finance to the meeting.

Mr Woods outlined the background to the draft Public Service Agreement and the envisaged concept.

Mr Kennedy took the Chair at 2.15 p.m.

A detailed question and answer session ensued covering the setting and measurement of targets; the need to have challenging yet achievable targets; the linkages between the Programme for Government and the draft Public Service Agreement and the absence of some actions, e.g. tackling bullying and disruptive behaviour and ICT/Classroom 2000; the need to benchmark; the lack of detail and definition in some actions; the need to focus on implementation, monitoring and evaluation and ensure appropriate measurement systems are in place; and the need to make linkages between the budget and the actions more specific.

The Chairman thanked the officials and they left the meeting.

The Committee agreed that a draft response based on the meeting and issues members wished included, would be tabled for discussion at the meeting on 15 February 2001.

The Chairman informed members that he intended to write to the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment requesting information on the pilot study based on a later start to formal education involving primary schools in the Shankill Road area

2. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15 February 2001 at 10.15 a.m. in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.

DANNY KENNEDY
Committee Chairman
February 2001

2 February 2001 / Menu / 15 February 2001