News
Messages from the Chief Executive (Designate) - November 2007
The recently published draft Programme for Government has underscored the Executive’s commitment to the creation of the Education and Skills Authority. A specific objective under the key priority “Deliver High Quality and Efficient Public Services” is to establish the Education and Skills Authority by 2009.
Here at the ESA Implementation Team progress continues to be made across the work streams of the Convergence Programme.
On 20 November I will chair the first meeting of the recently formed ESA ICT Programme Board, set up to oversee the funding and development of all major current and planned ICT projects across the education sector.
Further work is being done to develop and finalise the outline business case for the RPA in education. This will identify the full range of educational and other benefits associated with the establishment of ESA, including estimates of the costs and savings.
Arrangements are being made with the Department of Education for ESAIT to take forward the establishment of the Education Infrastructure Procurement Service (EIPS).
We also expect to be launching shortly a new phase of recruitment to ESAIT Project Teams.
Also coming soon is a new look layout and structure for our website. This will give you easier access to the latest information and more opportunity to interact with the team here at Forestview.
During November I look forward once again to joining with the Minister, Caitríona Ruane, and the Permanent Secretary, Will Haire, to meet with the Chairpersons of the Education Sector organisations on Thursday 15 in Armagh to discuss progress in taking forward the RPA in education.
Finally - congratulations to the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and St Mary’s Primary School, Altinure, who at the end of October both achieved the United Kingdom Business Excellence Award and best wishes to all those pupils who will be sitting their transfer procedure tests during November.
GAVIN BOYD
5th November 2007