O’Dowd launches Teacher Professional Learning strategy

Date published: 14 March 2016

Education Minister John O’Dowd has launched a new Teacher Professional Learning strategy.

The strategy sets out the Minister’s vision for teacher professional learning through to 2025.

Explaining the purpose of the strategy John O’Dowd said:

“We know that the quality of teaching significantly affects pupil outcomes. We therefore need to support our teachers to deal with the many complex issues they face in the modern class-room."

The Minister outlined the vision behind the strategy. He said:

“The strategic vision for this strategy is – Every teacher is a learning leader, accomplished in working collaboratively with all partners in the interests of children and young people. Underpinning this vision is the development of a framework, the promotion of collaborative working and sharing of best practice as well as the strengthening of leadership capacity in our schools.

“This strategy document should be viewed as a starting point to a process. The practical outworking of the vision will be the development of a coherent career-long teacher professional learning framework which supports teachers and schools to identify and where possible lead their own development."

Concluding the Minister paid tribute to the teaching profession:

“I want to acknowledge the important work that teachers do. Through this strategy I want to empower you to strengthen your professionalism and expertise in order to meet the challenging and diverse needs of all our young people.

“In creating this strategy, there has been valuable input from a range of stakeholders. I thank you for your contribution so far and I hope that engagement and collaboration continues.”

Notes to editors: 

  1. The strategy can be found on the DE website.
  2. The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect - Education Works for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel.
  3. See photos from the Department of Education in our flickr collection.
  4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education’s Communications Team on Tel: 028 9127 9268. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.

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