The impact on the education sector
The new structures represent a fresh start for governing and delivering education and youth services. The impact of the Review of Public Administration (RPA) will not just be a merger of organisations, but a new and fundamentally different approach to the way education is administered.
The changes will ensure better public services for local people through a modern, accountable system of administration. The initial stage for this will be through legislative change, then through organisational change.
The Department of Education
Education stakeholder organisations
Schools
The Department of Education (DE)
In future there will be a clear separation between policy formulation and operational delivery. DE will undergo significant internal change to enable it to:
- focus more effectively on setting the strategic direction for education;
- develop policy; and
- set priorities and standards for schools and youth services.
It will also ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services by the new Education and Skills Authority (ESA).
Some roles currently performed by DE will transfer to the new authority.
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) will continue to provide inspection services for DE, Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), and will be independent of all service providers and users.
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Education stakeholder organisations
The new Education and Skills Authority (ESA) will take over the functions currently carried out by the:
- five Education and Library Boards (ELBs);
- Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA ); and
- Regional Training Unit (RTU).
It will also be responsible for the front-line support currently undertaken by:
- Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS);
- Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE ); and
- Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta (CnaG).
The new ESA will absorb the role of the Staff Commission, which dealt with recruitment, training and terms and conditions of employment of officers of ELBs. It will also undertake some of the functions currently performed by DE (as mentioned above).
The Youth Council will come under the ESA, as will Youth services administration.
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Schools
The Review of Public Administration (RPA) is about reducing the administrative burden on public services, not about changing the status or ethos of schools. Boards of Governors in schools will continue to make the key decisions about appointing and managing staff. The Education and Skills Authority (ESA) will ensure these decisions are made within a consistent framework across all schools.
Ownership of maintained and voluntary schools will remain with their trustees, while the ownership of the controlled estate, currently with the Education and Library Boards, will transfer to the ESA. Funding, services and support provided to a school will be provided equitably, regardless of the ownership of the school.
The new ESA will also act as the sole employing authority for teachers and non-teaching staff in all schools. This will create more opportunities for teachers to develop their careers and will allow for common, consistent employment practices such as support for teachers and conditions of service.
Parents and young people will also have a stronger voice under the RPA changes. They will have more direct access to Government, for example, through the new Education Advisory Forum, which will provide a direct link between education sectors and the Minister.
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