Education Minister Paul Givan has launched a 16-week public consultation on a new Northern Ireland Curriculum, marking a major milestone in the TransformED programme aimed at delivering excellence and equity across the education system.

The proposed curriculum sets out clearly what children and young people should learn and when, from Year 1 in the Foundation Stage through to Year 10 in Key Stage 3. This structure is intended to ensure that every child in Northern Ireland is entitled to the same high-quality education, regardless of which school they attend.

Announcing the consultation, Paul Givan said: "Today marks a significant step forward for education in Northern Ireland. We are publishing a curriculum that provides clarity on what should be taught and when, with learning carefully sequenced to build over time.

"Grounded in the best available evidence, it places knowledge at its heart and ensures every child, regardless of background, has access to a high-quality education."

The current curriculum, which was introduced in 2007, underwent a major review in 2025. This review determined that the existing framework lacked clarity, coherence, and sufficient specificity, resulting in discrepancies between schools, increased workloads for teachers, and uneven progress for pupils. Consequently, the review recommended the creation of a clearer, more structured curriculum providing a shared entitlement for all pupils. The Minister continued: "The curriculum should be the engine of equity, creating fairness – with knowledge acting as a powerful way to give every child the same opportunities. By setting out clearly what pupils should learn, we can raise standards and help all children to succeed."

The newly proposed curriculum has been developed through a collaborative process involving more than 100 individuals, including teachers, academics, and international experts. The development work was led by Dr Christine Counsell and supported by Lucy Crehan, drawing upon international best practice to help establish a world-leading framework.

Paul Givan added: "This is not my curriculum – it is your curriculum. It has been shaped by teachers and practitioners from across Northern Ireland to ensure it is ambitious, coherent and works in real classrooms."

Speaking at the launch, Christine Counsell said: "When young people share common knowledge, they experience true inclusion. The world's great conversations become theirs to enjoy, challenge and renew."

The consultation period will run from 16 June to 30 September 2026, with feedback invited from teachers, parents, pupils, and wider stakeholders.

Paul Givan concluded: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve education in Northern Ireland. Together, we can create a world-leading curriculum that raises aspirations, strengthens outcomes and ensures every child has the knowledge and opportunities they deserve."

The public consultation can be accessed directly at education-ni.gov.uk/consultation.