The Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA, has welcomed the International Ministerial Advisory Panel (IMAP) to Northern Ireland for a two-day fact-finding visit. Appointed in January 2025, the six-member panel of international experts has been tasked with advising on the forthcoming reform of curriculum and assessment. Their visit includes school tours across the region and participation in the TransformED conference for more than 600 school leaders on Thursday 8 May.
The arrival of the panel marks the first visible step in what the Minister describes as a “profound transformation” of Northern Ireland’s education system. Curriculum reform affects every pupil, teacher and parent; the panel’s recommendations could set the direction of classroom practice, examinations and long-term workforce skills for years to come.
Who’s on the Panel and Why They’re Here
The IMAP comprises:
- Christine Counsel – curriculum specialist and former head teacher
- Hardip Begol – former Department for Education (England) director
- Daisy Christodoulou – assessment author and education technology lead
- Dr Harold Hislop – former Chief Inspector, Republic of Ireland
- Dr Nina Hood – researcher in digital and evidence-informed practice, New Zealand
- Tim Oates CBE – group director of assessment research, Cambridge
During their stay they will meet Lucy Crehan, the independent reviewer leading the Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, and visit a sample of primary and post-primary schools to observe current practice.
What the Minister Said
“We must look at what works in different countries, be open to new ideas and use evidence and international experience to guide reform of our education system locally.” – Education Minister Paul Givan
He added that the panel “can help us craft an education system that’s not just fit for today but future-proof for tomorrow.”
TransformED Conference
The visit culminates in the TransformED conference in Belfast’s ICC on 8 May, where more than 600 school leaders, policymakers and sector partners will gather. The Minister intends to share his overarching vision and invite discussion on how the panel’s insights might translate into Northern Irish classrooms.
Information Still Missing
- The press release does not specify the total budget allocated to the panel’s work or to any subsequent curriculum pilot phases.
- No timeline is provided for when the panel will deliver its recommendations, nor for when reforms might begin in classrooms.
- There is no indication of how teachers, parents, pupils or trade unions will be formally consulted alongside the international experts.
- The selection criteria for the schools being visited have not been disclosed, leaving it unclear whether rural, urban, selective and non-selective settings will all be represented.
- While the announcement stresses “international best practice,” it does not clarify how local context—such as Northern Ireland’s unique post-primary transfer arrangements or high proportion of Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils—will influence recommendations.
Broader Context and Considerations
Northern Ireland’s education system is currently grappling with budgetary pressures, recruitment challenges and ongoing debates over academic selection at age 10–11. Recent Audit Office figures show that almost one in five pupils has a recognised SEN, yet support services remain overstretched. International curriculum reforms often succeed or fail on the strength of teacher professional development and sustained funding—areas not referenced in the announcement.
Moreover, curriculum reform efforts in other UK jurisdictions have highlighted the risk of “initiative fatigue” if changes are introduced without adequate lead-in time or classroom resources. It would be helpful to know whether the Department intends to phase changes gradually, trial them in volunteer schools, or implement a full-scale roll-out.
Questions Worth Asking
- What specific outcomes or deliverables has the Department set for the IMAP, and when are they expected?
- How will the Department ensure that classroom teachers—those who must implement any new curriculum—have a meaningful voice alongside international experts?
- Will additional funding be ring-fenced to support professional development and resource purchase once reforms are approved?
- How will the panel’s work interact with ongoing debates about academic selection and the broader Independent Review of Education?
- In what ways will the Department measure the success of any new curriculum, particularly for disadvantaged and SEN pupils?
What Happens Next?
The panel’s visit is an early milestone in a reform journey that could reshape teaching and learning across Northern Ireland. Stakeholders will be watching for publication of the panel’s interim findings, clarification of budgets and timelines, and details on how local educators and communities will be involved. As the Department moves from consultation to concrete proposals, transparency on funding and implementation will be vital to maintain confidence and ensure that any “future-proof” curriculum serves all learners equitably.