Dept Of Education Publishes New 'Every CHILD' Report

A new plan to ensure that every child in Northern Ireland is "happy, learning and succeeding" has been published by the Department of Education.

The department's new Corporate Plan for 2023-28, titled Every CHILD', is underpinned by five new child-centred strategic priorities:

• Championing the needs and aspirations of all our children and young people and the positive impact of education;

• Helping all our children and young people by supporting their well-being and learning;

• Inspiring all our children and young people to make a positive contribution to society;

• Meeting the learning needs of our children and young people and developing their knowledge and skills, enabling them to fulfil their potential; and

• Delivering an effective, child-first, collaborative and high-quality education system.

Speaking following publication of the plan, Dr Mark Browne, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education, said: "I am delighted to publish Every CHILD, the Department of Education's new Corporate Plan for 2023-2028. The plan was developed following extensive engagement with stakeholders including, most importantly, children and young people.

"I firmly believe that children and young people should be at the heart of everything we do as a Department. That is why we have set out a bold vision that 'every child and young person is happy, learning and succeeding', supported by five new strategic priorities. This will ensure that our focus remains on continuing to deliver positive outcomes for all children and young people.

"Despite the current political and financial constraints we are experiencing, I believe this plan sets out an ambitious and transformative programme of work for the next five years.

"I would encourage everyone working within the education sector to support, collaborate and partner with the Department in delivering the actions required to make Every CHILD a success. It is also my hope that the importance of education in our society will be recognised through the commitment of the necessary future investment to support the pursuit of our ambitious vision."

The full Every CHILD Corporate Plan, including an easy read version, can be accessed on the Department for Education website at: www.education-ni.gov.uk/corporate-and-business-planning