Convention on Education and National Conversation

The Convention on Education is a once in a generation opportunity for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help shape Ireland’s education system for decades to come.

The Convention will be chaired by Professor Anne Looney and will meet four times over weekends in 2026 to discuss key issues about the future of education:

• 20-21 March 2026
• 9-10 May 2026
• 26-27 September 2026
• 14-15 November 2026

The Convention will comprise 150 people across 4 groups:

• Children and young people (30 people)
• Parents and guardians (30 people)
• School employees and early years educators (30 people)
• Education stakeholders (60 people)

The focus will be on primary and post-primary (secondary) schools, the transitions within education, looking at what is working well, what challenges need attention, and what changes may be needed in the years ahead.

Recommendations from the Convention will inform a new long-term Department of Education and Youth strategy for education in Ireland.