A New Vision of Education for All the Children of Ireland
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A new vision of education for all the children of Ireland Incorporation of St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Mater Dei Institute of Education & Church of Ireland College of Education into Dublin City University The planned new Institute of Education at DCU A. The Institute of Education 1. Overarching strategy The Incorporation will create an internationally-significant Institute The planned coming together of St of Education, which will also conduct Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (SPD), pioneering research in priority areas for Mater Dei Institute of Education 21st Century education, including, for (MDI) and Church of Ireland College example, STEM (Science, Technology, of Education (CICE) with Dublin City Engineering and Mathematics) University (DCU) will herald a new education, special-needs and inclusive era for education in Ireland. This education, literacy and numeracy, development will create the largest arts education, further education, critical mass of education expertise assessment, digital learning, as well as on this island, and will provide both ethical and values-based education. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and The Institute will become the fifth Continuous Professional Development faculty of DCU. It will engage with (CPD) for teachers and educators across schools and educational communities the full education continuum, from across Ireland and beyond, and it will be Early Childhood through Primary and an authoritative source of influence on Secondary to Third and Fourth Level. policy development. 1 DCU is, and will continue to be, a non- The following principles will underpin denominational, secular university with the governance and operational a strong commitment to pluralism, structure of the new Institute of social inclusion and diversity at its Education: core. The new Institute of Education will provide a place of mutual respect • the Institute shall constitute a for the formation of teachers for fifth faculty of DCU (the existing denominational (Roman Catholic; four being DCU Business School, Church of Ireland/Reformed Christian the Faculty of Science & Health, traditions), non-denominational and the Faculty of Engineering & multi-denominational schools. In this Computing, and the Faculty of way, the establishment of the Institute Humanities & Social Sciences). will enable the education of excellent • consistent with DCU’s governance teachers for all dimensions of a 21st structure, the Institute of Education century pluralist society. will be led by an Executive Dean 2. Structure of the Institute of who will be an ex-officio member of Education DCU’s Executive Committee While the ethos and identity of • in order to ensure that the each of the three incorporating distinctive identity and values institutions will be respected and of teacher education in both safeguarded within the ‘new DCU’, the Roman Catholic and Church these three institutions will cease of Ireland/Reformed Christian to exist as autonomous, separate traditions are maintained on an legal entities post incorporation. ongoing basis, two Centres for Similarly, while remaining a secular Denominational Education shall be university, the profile of DCU will be established within the Institute (a changed significantly as a result of the Centre for Catholic Education and a incorporation process. Church of Ireland Centre). 1 2 1 The staffs of each incorporating institution will become staff of the University in all respects. B. Centres for Denominational Education within the Institute of Education 1. Vision This, in turn, will profoundly support the development of children in schools Within the Institute of Education, across the country. institutional identities will be drawn together to facilitate and enhance While maintaining its secular the capacity of each to collaborate context, the university will facilitate effectively in the delivery of teacher and support the co-existence of education of the highest quality. The different faith-based traditions, multi-disciplinary opportunities of working collaboratively, generously the university will be available to all, and respectfully. Towards this end, while the richness and diversity of two Denominational Centres will be individual traditions will be sustained. established within the new Institute This new collaborative framework will of Education at DCU in order to ensure provide an enriched understanding and that the distinctive identity, values experience for students and staff alike. and learning of Roman Catholic and It will see the formation of the teachers Church of Ireland/Reformed Christian of tomorrow in a pluralist, respectful, traditions are maintained and developmental academic environment. promoted in teacher education. 3 In other parts of Europe for many Each of the incorporating institutions centuries, universities have enabled will bring a recognised heritage and different traditions within Christianity a distinctive engagement in teacher to teach and learn collaboratively education to the university. The side-by-side. For the first time in synergies from this are immense, as an Irish context, DCU will provide are the opportunities for enhanced such a framework to bring together education and a wider contribution institutions representing the Roman to Irish society. Far from their being Catholic tradition and the Reformed lost in the incorporation, it is our Christian traditions. This provides an shared vision that the heritage of opportunity for all involved to celebrate each institution will be deepened and the different strands in Irish society strengthened through the shared space (history, traditions, identities, beliefs and the unique wealth of talents and and values) in a critically-reflective, experience within the university. academic space. These strands will meet as distinct equals. Such a The core curriculum for teacher development responds to the emerging preparation will be denominationally needs of a pluralist Ireland. But, neutral and common to all but will, significantly, it further contributes to as required, allow for the delivery the establishment of peace across the of modules to prepare teachers island, built upon the values of mutual appropriately for employment in respect and inclusiveness. denominational schools. 4 The established relationships with The purpose of such an Advisory schools, including denominational Council will be to provide guidance schools, will be maintained and on upholding the distinctive ethos, enhanced in the new Institute of values and traditions of each particular Education. The Denominational denomination within the Centre and Centres within the Institute the schools which it serves: of Education will have specific responsibility for delivering their • through advice to the director of the respective denominational modules Centre on curricular content relating as well as engaging closely with their to specialist areas of programmes respective schools. within the Centre’s remit, Particular features pertaining to these • commentary on related Centres, within the framework of a denominational issues/outcomes, secular university, follow. and • advice to the director on follow-up 2. Governance Framework actions as appropriate. There will be representation of each The director of each Centre will of the three incorporating Institutions therefore be in dialogue with their on the Governing Authority of DCU. respective Advisory Council on matters At faculty management level, the relating to denominational interests respective directors of the two Centres and educational needs. There will be will be members of the Institute of direct input by the relevant church Education Management Committee, authorities to the appointment of chaired by the Executive Dean. Each the director of each Centre, while a Centre will therefore be fully part of nominee of the relevant Advisory the structure, staffing and governance Council will participate in the selection of the university and each director process of other staff of their therefore accountable within the respective Centres. management system of the university. Recognising the importance of respecting and supporting the distinctive ethos and traditions of the broad religious traditions involved, it is proposed that each Centre be appropriately supported by an Advisory Council, appointed by the relevant Archbishop/Church authorities. 5 3. Functions Notwithstanding the foregoing, the greater part of the subject material to A number of defined functions would be taught on initial teacher education be reserved to each Centre to preserve programmes shall be provided in and promote its distinctive values, common to all students in the wider beliefs and traditions. It is anticipated setting of the Institute of Education that these would focus on areas such and the Faculty of Humanities and as: Social Sciences. In this way, the • Maintaining and promoting their synergies, research, innovation and distinctive engagement with the richness of the university can be best relevant denominational schools accessed by all participants. and faith communities of which they form part; 4. Staffing • Specialist areas of Initial Teacher The core staffing of each of these Education which require distinctive Centres shall be small in number, denominational features/focus; reflecting the specialized functions involved and the integrated role of the • Teaching of Religions, Ethics, Centres in the broader Institute. Their Morals and Values specific to appointment shall be subject to the denominational preparation; arrangements set out