Education Minister announces taskforce to develop a model for management and support for controlled schools

Mark Baker, Chief Executive, Controlled Schools' Support Council said, 

"CSSC has been advocating for effective and equitable support for controlled schools since its inception. I made this one of our key priorities this time last year and I am delighted that the Minister has asked me to Chair this taskforce. I can assure you that the voice of controlled school leaders across the sector will be part of this process.

The Minister has highlighted how controlled schools are a core part of our education system, comprising almost half of all school categories across NI including nursery, special, primary, secondary, grammar, integrated and Irish-medium schools. The Independent Review of Education report highlighted the deficit of management support to the controlled sector and proposed that all sectors should be supported with greater consistency and equity. The Minister has acted upon this and you can read his statement in full here

Set up as an organisation with no legislative or statutory powers, CSSC has passionately advocated for controlled schools since its inception. As Chief Executive of CSSC, I again acknowledge the trust placed in me to Chair this group and I am committed to ensuring that the outcome is the effective and equitable support of all controlled schools to deliver for the children and young people in their communities.”

The taskforce is due to report back to the Minister on the 20 December.

17 September 2024