To ask the Minister of Education what professional development programmes are in place to support teachers that are participating in shared education programmes.

A capacity building strategy has been developed to provide professional development, which will include engaging Higher Education Institutions/teacher training providers. Workshops have been held with teachers/school managers to outline plans and elicit views on proposed plans. The Education Authority is now moving to implementation with the strategy being launched in two phases:

(i) Short courses – a suite of short modules in areas key to the delivery of shared education and covering key skills for management and development of shared partnerships; and

(ii) Networks of learning – a programme supporting and facilitating school improvement collaboration between teachers in shared education partnerships that includes coaching and mentoring, teacher knowledge exchanges and provision of online learning.

The project also provides professional development for Principals to support the delivery of a shared partnership vision. To date 218 Principals have attended.

School coordinators have also been provided with professional development in the role and skills required to perform associated duties.