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How is our work influencing life in Northern Ireland and delivering equality? Learn more about our policy, legal and research work.
 
 

Sharing in education

Policy position - key point briefing
Education

What you need to know

 
Key Point Briefing: Policy Position on Sharing in Education
The Equality Commission considers that societal mixing and social cohesion is limited by separation, including in education provision.

We recommend a move to a system of education which routinely teaches pupils together via a shared curriculum in shared classes; where sharing impacts meaningfully and substantively on every learner; and is central to the education system as a whole.


Learn more about our key recommendations:

We consider that societal mixing and cohesion is limited by separation in education

The Equality Commission considers that societal mixing and social cohesion is limited by separation, including in education provision.  It is the Commission’s view that an education system, where sharing impacts meaningfully and substantively on every learner, has a key role to play in advancing a shared society.  Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

We recommend a move to a system which routinely teaches pupils together via a shared curriculum in shared classes

Sharing must impact meaningfully and substantively on every learner and be central to the education system as a whole.  The Commission recommends a move towards a system of sharing across the full spectrum of education providers which teaches a diverse range of pupils together.  Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

DENI to have a duty to encourage & facilitate sharing, centred on community background but incentivising wider sharing

We consider that the core focus of sharing in education should be on ensuring meaningful and sustained sharing between learners of different community backgrounds; while also incentivising sharing across all equality grounds, including to address the socio-economic issues which are experienced by a number of equality groups. Clear outcome goals should be established to direct and measure progress towards meaningful and substantive sharing.  Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

Action is needed to address wider issues – academic selection; teacher training and employment; and patterns of enrolment

The Commission continues to highlight the importance of addressing wider issues linked to sharing in education.  We reiterate our concern about academic selection at age 11; and our recommendations for the removal of the teacher’s exception under FETO at secondary level; for greater sharing and collaboration in teacher training; and for actions to better understanding the reasons for, and impacts of, any differential patterns of enrolment to education providers. Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

Sharing in Education has the potential to advance Equality of Opportunity

The Commission considers that sharing in education, across the full range of equality grounds has the potential to improve educational access and attainment for pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities. Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

Sharing in Education has an important role to play in Advancing Good Relations

The Commission remains of the view that the overall system of education provision in Northern Ireland has an important role to play, not only in the development of the child, but in advancing cohesion, sharing and integration across all equality grounds. Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

Research has identified educational, economic and societal benefits of sharing in education

Sharing can facilitate pupils to access the full curriculum and a wider range of educational, sporting and cultural experiences; offer opportunities to improve standards and outcomes for all learners; maximise sustainability and reduce costs; and foster good relations by providing an environment for longer term-sustained contact for both teachers and learners. Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

There are clear opportunities to learn lessons from experiences to date; and to enhance existing mechanisms

Opportunities include cross-sectoral area learning communities; guidance and leadership to maximise high quality and sustained teacher and pupil contact; maximising the alignment of the curriculum and the CRED policy to promote good relations; developing area based planning and funding mechanisms to better incentivise cross-sectoral / ability sharing; and developing targeted indicators and evaluation processes. Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 

There is a need to engage with pupils, parents, education providers and wider stakeholders

Such engagement should seek to communicate the rationale for any proposed system; to learn from experiences to date; to inform and improve associated policy frameworks / implementation plans; and to incentivise any moves. Read the supporting information about this recommendation.
 
 

Further information:
 

Download our shared education policy position (printable pdfs):
 

Latest consultation response:
 


 
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