Minister launches consultation on Shared Education Bill

Speaking about the consultation Minister O’Dowd said: “There has been considerable public interest in shared education and I am pleased to launch this consultation on a proposed Shared Education Policy and Bill.

“Building on our existing educational structures, shared education offers the opportunity to create a more cohesive education system in which children and young people from different community and socio-economic backgrounds can be educated together.”

The ‘Sharing Works’ Policy builds on the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Group and sets out the proposed way forward for shared education. It provides a framework to ensure shared education is embedded throughout the system and that a high quality, shared learning experience is delivered for every child. The accompanying Bill proposes a statutory definition for shared education and provides powers to encourage and facilitate the development of shared education.

In conclusion, the Minister said: “I am keen to take the views of all interested parties and I urge everyone with an interest to have their say.”

The consultation period will run from 5 January until 2 March 2015.