Church of Ireland Members Encouraged to Join ‘Once in a Generation’ Conversation on Education

General

14.01.2026

Church of Ireland Members Encouraged to Join ‘Once in a Generation’ Conversation on Education

Those with an interest in education and members of wider society have a “once in a generation opportunity” to help shape Ireland’s education system for decades to come. The National Conversation on Education was launched today (Wednesday January 14) and everyone is invited to take part.

Archbishop Michael Jackson, chair of the General Synod’s Board of Education (RI) and school patron, and Dr Ken Fennelly, Education Secretary, attended the launch of the National Conversation on Education at the Department of Education and Youth in Dublin.

The national conversation commences today and the outcomes will be used to inform the agenda for the Convention on Education which will take place later this year with a view to building a long term strategy for the future of education in Ireland. Members of the public can join the conversation by completing an online survey (which you can find by clicking here), making a submission on behalf of an individual or organisation, or hosting their own conversations in schools, youth settings and organisations.

The National Conversation was launched by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton, TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, TD and Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion,, Mr Michael Moynihan, TD. The chairperson of the National Convention is Professor Anne Looney.

At the launch, the consistent themes of the contributions by the Ministers was the positive impact of education on children, students and the whole of Irish society, both currently and over all past generations. The launch heard from primary school children about their aspirations and hopes for their own education journey and the possibilities for what the convention and national conversation on the future of education might bring.

In launching the Conversation, Minister Naughton observed that for generations our education system has served Irish society well and stated that there are currently one million students in education. She went on to note that history does not stand still and that we are at the beginning of another unique point in the development of Irish education. The Minister advised that, for this reason, children and young people would be included in the Convention, along with other stakeholders to ensure the conversations at the Convention are as inclusive and as representative as possible.

Minister Foley spoke not only from her current perspective as Minister for Children but drawing on her experience as Minister for Education and Skills, about how Irish society values education and helps focus our collective sense of identity. In a memorable phrase she said education does this “from cradle to creche to childminder”. She spoke of the importance of the earliest possible access to the provision of education for the development of the child. She also offered a compelling image: that the windows of the classroom should always open to the future.

Minister Michael Moynihan underlined the need for the best possible outcome for children and young people with special needs and highlighted the role of churches and patron bodies in that regard in national education provision over many generations.

Professor Anne Looney, chairperson of the Convention, pointed to the fact that this is a formal launch of a conversation that goes on informally all the time. “What did you do in school today?” is a question every child is asked and is part of the lexicon of Irish society. She focused attention on the fact that these regular conversations concentrate on the present and the future simultaneously.

The Convention provides a unique opportunity to look to the long term future and to enable us all to move from reactive to responsive mode, Professor Looney said. She went on to say that her hope is that the conversations at the Education Convention 2026 will be talked about in 2056 by the young people present, their peers and successive generations.

Speaking after the launch, Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “The conversation which begins today offers Irish society a unique opportunity to shape the future education of our citizens. I encourage members of the Church of Ireland to join this conversation and to offer our specific perspectives so that our voices can be included in this great venture. The Church of Ireland has contributed to education in this country for hundreds of years. Our schools cater not only for our own community but offer a welcoming and safe space to those of all faith backgrounds and none. I encourage everyone to continue this contribution by taking part in the survey, making submissions and starting conversations in your own schools and parishes.”

Dr Ken Fennelly added: “Through my work as Education Secretary, I see at first hand the great things that Church of Ireland Schools achieve year in, year out. I also see the challenges faced by schools and bring them to the Department. Now we have the opportunity for every one of us to be part of the conversation and I urge you to join in.”

The Church of Ireland Board of Education is a recognised Education Stakeholder and representative of Church of Ireland schools and the Church of Ireland sector in education generally. In this regard, the Board and its representatives look forward to participating in the conversations in the Convention over the coming year.