Fifth Report on Advancing Shared Education laid to the Northern Ireland Assembly
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan has laid the fifth report on Advancing Shared Education to the Northern Ireland Assembly, covering the period April 2024 to March 2026.
Education Minister Paul Givan has laid the fifth report on Advancing Shared Education to the Northern Ireland Assembly, covering the period April 2024 to March 2026.
The report outlines progress in delivering and supporting Shared Education over the reporting period across a range of education and sectoral bodies.
Paul Givan said:
“I welcome the continued progress that has been made during this reporting period. Shared Education is continuing to make a real difference, providing opportunities for children and young people from different religious, cultural and socio‑economic backgrounds to learn together. In 2024/25, over 650 schools and pre‑school settings across Northern Ireland were involved in Shared Education partnerships, enabling 60,000 children and young people to participate in shared learning experiences.”
Highlighting the significance of new investment, the Minister added:
“The commencement of PEACEPLUS in 2024, including the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project and new youth‑focused initiatives, marked a significant step forward in expanding the reach of Shared Education. This supports my Department’s mainstreaming agenda, which seeks to normalise sharing and allow all children and young people to enjoy shared learning opportunities throughout their education. I am also encouraged by continued progress on Shared Education Campuses, which represent a powerful and visible commitment to a shared future.”
Reflecting on the wider impact of Shared Education, Paul,Givan said:
“The evidence in this report demonstrates that Shared Education is delivering educational benefits, promoting equality of opportunity, fostering good relations, and supporting community cohesion. These outcomes are more important than ever as we continue to build a more inclusive and cohesive society. While challenges remain, continued collaboration across the education system and in our communities will ensure our children and young people can learn, grow, and thrive together."
The 2026 Report is available on the DE website at: www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/advancing-shared-education-report-northern-ireland-assembly-may-2026
Notes to editors:
1. Shared Education involves the sustained provision of opportunities for children and young people from different communities, as well as social and economic backgrounds to learn together.
2. The Shared Education (Northern Ireland) Act 2016 (www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2016/20/contents) provides a consistent definition of Shared Education as “the education together of—
(a) those of different religious belief, including reasonable numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children or young persons; and
(b) those who are experiencing socio-economic deprivation and those who are not,which is secured by the working together and co-operation of two or more relevant providers.”
3. Under the Act, the Department of Education has a duty to “encourage, facilitate and promote” Shared Education and also is required to lay a Report to the Northern Ireland Assembly on a biennial basis which must detail the extent to which the Department, the Education Authority, and other bodies impacted by the Act, have complied with their respective duties and powers, the level of participation in Shared Education and the extent to which there has been any increase or decrease, and the extent to which the purpose of Shared Education has been achieved.
4. The purpose of Shared Education is defined as to deliver educational benefits to children and young persons, promote the efficient and effective use of resources, promote equality of opportunity; and promote good relations, respect for identity, diversity and community cohesion. The Report highlights a range of evaluative evidence which point to the continued positive impact of Shared Education.
5. According to the most recent data available (as of June 2025), over 650 pre-school settings and primary, post primary and special schools across Northern Ireland are involved in Shared Education structures representing 46% of all such educational settings and around 17% of the total pupil population.
6. For more news from the Department of Education, you can follow us on our social media channels:
- X @Education_NI
- Facebook Department of Education NI
- Instagram de_northern_ireland
- LinkedIn Department of Education
7. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at: Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk
8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.