O’Dowd launches consultation on future of Traveller education

Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has launched a public consultation on proposals for the future of education provision for Traveller children.
~ Monday, 24 September 2012

The Department of Education has today published a draft action plan – The Traveller Child in Education Action Framework – setting out proposals that will improve access to education for Traveller children. The document takes account of the recommendations made in the report by the Taskforce on Traveller Education, published in December 2011.

Speaking about the proposals, the Minister said: “I am committed to ensuring that every child in the north of Ireland has the opportunity, through attendance at school, to achieve to their full potential.

“For a range of reasons, children from the Traveller community often do not take full advantage of the education available to them. The draft action plan I am putting forward seeks to address this inequality through providing Traveller communities with the support they need to help their children attend school.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the education of Traveller children to carefully read the action plan and respond to my Department with their views on it.”

The action plan document can be accessed on the Department of Education website.