Prof Anne Looney to chair National Convention on Education

Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee TD has today announced that she will establish a National Convention on Education, bringing together all stakeholders in education. It will be chaired by Prof Anne Looney, the Executive Dean of DCU’s Institute of Education. Prof Looney will be stepping down for her role in DCU at the end of September.

The Convention will focus mainly on primary and post-primary education but will include the transitions children make from early childhood education to primary and from post-primary to further and higher education. Its work will inform a new long-term strategy for education in Ireland. In addition, the various engagements will facilitate discussions on the learners’ experiences, including the experience of education in early childhood and primary and post primary education.

The Convention’s agenda will be approved by government next year following a national conversation and consultation involving the public, early childhood education and school communities and other stakeholders (e.g.; children and youth; early learning and care providers, community; business and industry). The conversation will encompass comprehensive engagement with the public at school community and at regional level and will feed into the agenda for the convention.

Minister McEntee said:

“Our education system has been the driving force of Ireland’s social and economic success, enabling our learners to go on to shape the vibrant, innovative, democratic society and economy we have today. For us to continue to thrive in a changing environment it is essential that our education system is set up to enable  everyone to realise their potential.

“The last National Education Convention happened in 1993 and resulted in a number of significant reforms and developments. As we face new challenges and opportunities in today’s world, it is vital that as many voices as possible are heard and have the chance to help shape a world-class education system that breaks down barriers and supports every child and young person to thrive.

“We have achieved considerable academic success, in particular in relation to reading where we are ranked as the best in the world. I want to ensure that we can deliver a world-class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential. In particular, supporting children with special educational needs, tackling educational disadvantage, reducing unacceptably high levels of absenteeism, supporting our teachers and school communities, and reforming our curriculum is central to delivering this vision.

“This is why I am determined that people will have their say, their way, as part of the largest conversation on education since the foundation of the State. We are proud of our education system. We can see excellence in how our students perform in international rankings. In PISA, Irish students are the best in the EU at reading and are significantly above the OECD average in maths and science. This is a testament to the quality of our teachers. However, we cannot rely on previous success in a world which is rapidly changing. We must equip children with the skills and competencies necessary for them to succeed and thrive.

“This is why I am delighted to announce that this Convention on Education will commence later this year. It will be a truly inclusive process engaging with children, young people and their parents, school communities, education stakeholders, along with other stakeholders from within and outside the education system. All of the views gathered will be of great value in helping to inform and shape education policy now and into the future.

“I am pleased also to announce that Professor Anne Looney will be the independent Chair of the Convention. Anne has demonstrated her commitment to education working in a variety of roles across the education system, spanning from early years to further and higher education. We are privileged to have such an experienced professional to lead this Convention.”

Prof Anne Looney said

“I am delighted to take up the position of Chair of the Convention and look forward to the opportunity to work, with others, to set the direction and vision for education in Ireland into the future and develop an ambitious programme of work that ensures we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed.”

About Prof Anne Looney

Prof Anne Looney is the Executive Dean of the Institute of Education in Dublin City University. A graduate of the Mater Dei Institute in Dublin, and the Institute of Education in London where she completed her doctoral studies, she taught in a post-primary school for 14 years before joining the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

In 2001 she was appointed Chief Executive. She led the NCCA until 2016 when she moved to the Higher Education Authority as interim Chief Executive. She joined the Institute of Education in DCU as Executive Dean in March 2017.

She is the current president of the International Professional Development Association.

In 2001 she was the first woman to be nominated to the management committee of the GAA and served until 2024.