MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE FORTY EIGHTH MEETING OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
IN ROOM 135, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
ON THURSDAY 17 MAY 2001

Present:
Mr D Kennedy (Chairman)
Mr S Wilson (Deputy Chairman)
Mrs E Bell
Mr O Gibson
Mr B McElduff
Mr G McHugh

Apologies:
Mr J Fee
Mr T Gallagher
Ms P Lewsley
Mr K Robinson

In Attendance:
Mrs C Darrah
Mrs V Artt
Mrs J McMurray
Ms C Angelone

The Committee met at 10.35 a.m. in private session.

The Chairman welcomed the new Assistant Clerk to the Committee, Mrs Valerie Artt. He also thanked Mrs Julie McMurray for her hard work during her time with the Committee and wished her well in her new post.

1. Minutes of the Meetings of 3 May and 10 May 2001

The minutes of the meetings of 3 May and 10 May 2001 were agreed.

2. Matters arising from the Minutes of Proceedings

(i) The Committee noted that the Chairman had written to the Minister regarding the proposed Statutory Rule on the General Teaching Council and the Review of the LMS Funding Formulae. The Chairman advised members that the Department had written highlighting errors in some of the illustrative outcomes in the consultation document and providing revised tables. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister expressing serious concern and seeking an assurance that every effort is being made to bring the mistakes to people's attention immediately.

(ii) The Chairman up-dated members on the successful visit to Scotland from 9 to 11 May. A formal Committee meeting had been held in the Scottish Parliament and the Committee had gained a useful insight into the Scottish post-primary education system. The Chairman also informed members that he had extended an invitation to the Scottish Education, Sport and Culture Committee to visit the Northern Ireland Assembly in the Autumn.

(iii) The Committee discussed a proposal to visit the Republic of Ireland and hold an evidence session in the Oireachtas. Members agreed to defer consideration of the issue and instructed the Clerk to prepare a background paper.

(iv) Members noted that it was hoped to be in a position to appoint a Specialist Adviser on the Review of Post-Primary Education in the near future.

3. Draft Committee Response on the Standards for Pre-School Settings

A draft Committee response based on research and the discussion with Departmental officials on the Proposals for Pre-School Settings had been circulated. Following a detailed discussion members agreed the response with several amendments.

4. Evidence Session with the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (Public)

As part of the Committee's consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education, the Chairman welcomed Mr Lennon and Mr Boyd to the meeting. They gave oral evidence on the CCEA's submission to the Committee on post-primary education and this was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Areas discussed included:

• The need to recognise the strengths of the present system while appreciating the changing needs of society and the economy
• The importance of the review of the curriculum
• The role of teachers and appropriate teacher training
• The need to focus on the end result ensuring that it matches employers' needs
• The development of early years provision
• The importance of achieving parity of esteem between vocational and academic qualifications and the need to make vocational subjects more available
• Possible methods of targeting underachievement and social exclusion

Hansard recorded the evidence for publication in due course.

Mrs Bell left the meeting at 12 05 p.m.

5. Evidence Session with the Confederation of British Industry

As part of the Committee's consideration of the Review of Post-Primary Education the Chairman welcomed Mr Smyth, Mr Masterson, Mr Cooley and Mr Owens to the meeting. They gave oral evidence on the CBI's submission to the Committee on post-primary education and this was followed by a detailed question and answer session. Areas discussed included:

• The role of the education system in the future success of the Northern Ireland economy
• The changing needs of employers and customers
• The importance of placing employability at the heart of the education system
• The development of mobility between schools and the need to broaden the curriculum
• The current selection procedure and possible alternatives
• The need to improve career planning advice
• The need for equal recognition of vocational and academic subjects
• The need to focus on reducing underachievement and ensure that all key skills are covered

Hansard recorded the evidence for publication in due course.

The Committee went into private session.

6. Consideration of a Statutory Rule on the Teachers' Superannuation (Sharing of Pensions on Divorce or Annulment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

The Committee considered Statutory Rule 149/2001 -The Teachers' Superannuation (Sharing of Pensions on Divorce or Annulment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and had no objection to the Rule

7. Draft Committee Response to the Committee of the Centre on the Appointment of a Children's Commissioner

A draft Committee response on the Inquiry by the Committee of the Centre into the Appointment of a Children's Commissioner had been circulated. Members agreed to discuss the response at the next meeting

8. Chairman's Business

(i) The Chairman informed members that the Chairman of the Social Development Committee had written inviting the Committee to submit comments regarding his Committee's inquiry into urban regeneration and community development in Northern Ireland. The Committee agreed that due to the current heavy workload and the closing date for submissions, it would not be possible to consider the matter on this occasion.

9. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held in Room 135, Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 22 May 2001 at 11.00 a.m.

The meeting closed at 1.00 p.m.

DANNY KENNEDY
Committee Chairman

May 2001

10 May 2001 / Menu / 22 May 2001