The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. will be in Letterkenny today (Thursday) to host the first of a series of five themed regional meetings with stakeholders in the education and skills sector.
The forums, the first of which takes place in Letterkenny Institute of Technology, are an opportunity for people to get involved in discussions on the education sector to give their views on key themes and issues.
The new Statement of Strategy for the Department of Education and Skills, which is the focus of the first forum, will set out the key priorities for the sector for the next three years.
The meeting is an opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges in education and training and to share ideas and feedback with Minister McHugh and officials from his Department.
Later meetings in the series will focus on a range of other priority policy areas including Higher Education, an Ghaeilge, Special Educational Needs and Future Skills and Brexit. The meetings are being planned around the country including in Dublin, Waterford and Galway.
Speaking ahead of the first meeting in Letterkenny, Minister McHugh said: “These forums are a perfect opportunity for me and Department officials to engage with stakeholders across the country, to listen to ideas and get the feedback of people working and learning in the sector.
“This first meeting is a real chance for a positive discussion on the overall strategic priorities for my Department and the broader education and training sector. Education and training have a vital role to play in this country’s economic, social and cultural development and it is important that we work in partnership on that.
“It is essential to gauge opinion and consult with others in identifying the priority issues. I want to draw on the knowledge and experience of others involved in the system to inform the process of developing this important strategy statement.”
The forum, which will be chaired by Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB, will be attended by representatives of a range of interested bodies and organisations from the education and skills sector.
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