Education Minister launches consultation on new strategy for Teacher Professional Learning
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan has launched a public consultation on a new strategy which proposes a step change in how teachers are supported to develop and improve throughout their careers.
“Leading Together for Excellence: A TransformED NI Strategy for Teacher Professional Learning” signals renewed investment in teacher professional learning in Northern Ireland. The strategy sets out a simple but powerful vision: to build an expert, confident teaching profession through high‑quality, career‑long professional learning that drives excellence for every learner.
Paul Givan said:
“Great teaching is central to realising my vision of educational excellence in Northern Ireland. No education system can exceed the quality of its teachers and no vision for transformation can be realised without investing deeply in those who make learning happen every single day.
“Professional learning is the engine that drives improvement, innovation and excellence in every high-quality education system. This draft strategy seeks to align Northern Ireland with the world’s highest performing education systems and place teacher development at the heart of system improvement. We are aiming to ensure that meaningful, high-impact learning is available to all teachers.”
The strategy sets out a series of actions to invest in teacher development, ranging from a new digital learning platform to new professional standards for the profession, enhanced support for student teachers, as well as improved programmes of support for newly qualified teachers and school leaders.
The strategy also proposes the establishment of a Northern Ireland Centre for Educational Excellence and Improvement within the Department of Education. This Centre will represent a fundamental shift in how schools are supported in Northern Ireland.
For the first time, curriculum design and implementation, professional learning, leadership development and system‑wide improvement activity will be brought together within a single, dedicated centre of excellence, providing a coherent and coordinated approach to supporting schools. The Centre will act as a driver for quality and consistency, strengthening the bridge between evidence, policy and classroom practice, and ensure that schools and leaders receive high‑quality, timely and aligned support rooted in what works best for children and young people.
The Education Minister concluded:
“High performing education systems do not leave professional learning to chance. Sustained improvement depends not only on strong policy decisions but also on the delivery infrastructure that translates into consistent, high-quality practice across schools.
“This strategy aims to provide Northern Ireland with the foundations of a truly world‑class professional learning system and I encourage every teacher to engage with the consultation on this strategy and share your views on its detail. Your insights will help shape a system that supports every teacher and every learner.”
The draft strategy is open for an eight-week public consultation from 11 May to 6 July 2026. Visit the consultation page at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-leading-together-excellence-transformed-ni-strategy-teacher-professional-learning
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