appropriate that the NI Executive’s commitment should be limited in this way. Outcome 3: Learning and Achieving NICCY is pleased to see that, under this outcome, recognition has been given not only to article 28 of the UNCRC, which outlines children and young people’s right to education, but also article 29 which relates to the aims of education and provides clarity on the purpose of education, going beyond solely academic achievement, i.e. that the education of the child shall be directed to the development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential. In so doing, Article 29(1) reflects the rights and inherent dignity of the child; it insists on the need for education to be child-friendly and empowering and highlights the need for educational processes to be based upon these principles. It is also very positive that the text this outcome (and particularly under is the ‘where greatest effort needed?’) identifies groups of children and young people who are particularly disadvantaged. We note, however, that article 29 appears to be less well reflected in this section and, indeed, in the indicators. These focus entirely on academic attainment and not on the promotion of well-being or the broader development of children and young people’s personality, talents and abilities. We note again with concern, that the 2016 Concluding Observations have not been addressed in the draft Strategy, including: Ensure that inclusive education is given priority over the placement of children with disabilities in specialised institutions and classes and make mainstream schools fully accessible to children with disabilities (para 56); Meaningful sexual and reproductive health education must be part of the mandatory school curriculum for all schools (para 64); Abolish the practice of unregulated admission tests to post primary education in NI (para 72a); Reduce the use of exclusions, abolish the use of exclusions and ensure ‘informal’ children can appeal against exclusions (paras 72b and c); Actively promote a fully integrated education system and monitor the provision of shared education o ensure that it facilitates social integration (para 72e); and Make children’s rights education mandatory (para 72g). In relation to the proposed indicators listed for this outcome, we note that these match those proposed for the Programme for Government. NICCY had serious concerns about these and so we repeat these concerns in relation to the use of these indicators to monitor
appropriate that the NI Executive’s commitment should be limited in this way. Outcome 3: Learning and Achieving NICCY is pleased to see that, under this outcome, recognition has been given not only to article 28 of the UNCRC, which outlines children and young people’s right to education, but also article 29 which relates to the aims of education and provides clarity on the purpose of education, going beyond solely academic achievement, i.e. that the education of the child shall be directed to the development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential. In so doing, Article 29(1) reflects the rights and inherent dignity of the child; it insists on the need for education to be child-friendly and empowering and highlights the need for educational processes to be based upon these principles. It is also very positive that the text this outcome (and particularly under ‘where is the greatest effort needed?’) identifies groups of children and young people who are particularly disadvantaged. We note, however, that article 29 appears to be less well reflected in this section and, indeed, in the indicators. These focus entirely on academic attainment and not on the promotion of well-being or the broader development of children and young people’s personality, talents and abilities. We note again with concern, that the 2016 Concluding Observations have not been addressed in the draft Strategy, including: Ensure that inclusive education is given priority over the placement of children with disabilities in specialised institutions and classes and make mainstream schools fully accessible to children with disabilities (para 56); Meaningful sexual and reproductive health education must be part of the mandatory school curriculum for all schools (para 64); Abolish the practice of unregulated admission tests to post primary education in NI (para 72a); Reduce the use of exclusions, abolish the use of ‘informal’ exclusions and ensure children can appeal against exclusions (paras 72b and c); Actively promote a fully integrated education system and monitor the provision of shared education o ensure that it facilitates social integration (para 72e); and Make children’s rights education mandatory (para 72g). In relation to the proposed indicators listed for this outcome, we note that these match those proposed for the Programme for Government. NICCY had serious concerns about these and so we repeat these concerns in relation to the use of these indicators to monitor
niccy-final-advice-to-the-childrens-strategy-14-march-17.docx