Convention on Education

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.

Presentations from the second weekend of the Convention on Education will be streamed live and available to watch here

Presentations will be streamed at the following times on Saturday 9 May 2026

10.00 - 10.40
11.45 - 12.15
14.10 - 14.50

And on Sunday 10 May 2026 at the following times:

9.35 - 10.10

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:

21-22 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.

The expression of interest process to apply to be part of the Convention on Education has now closed. The process attracted significant public interest, with over 5,000 applications received, and appreciation is extended to all applicants for their time and interest. All members of the Convention who have been selected to participate were notified by 28 February 2026.