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Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has described as ‘enormously positive’ a key bilateral engagement with US Secretary of State for Education Miguel Cardona at the Ministerial meeting of the 38 members of the OECD Education Policy Committee (EDPC).

This is the first EPDC among Ministers in 12 years and will include discussions on: equity and inclusion in education, reshaping curricula to meet learners’ socio-emotional needs, the role of digitalisation in equity and inclusion and how education can better respond to the world of work.

The two-day meeting takes place in Paris involving Ministers across every OECD member state.

This morning Minister Foley met with US Secretary of State for Education Miguel Cardona and discussed a range of issues across education, including equity and inclusion, post-pandemic recovery within the education sector and wellbeing.

Minister Foley said: “It is an honour and a privilege to attend the first Ministerial meeting of the OECD Education Policy Committee to take place in over a decade and to have the opportunity to discuss a myriad of key Educational policies that can enhance, support and transform our school communities. This meeting will shape and inform the work of the OECD for the coming years in education.

“In addition, this morning’s bilateral meeting with Secretary of Education Cardona was hugely positive and constructive. As we know, Ireland’s connection with the United States run deep and it was really positive to have the opportunity to reaffirm this with Secretary Cardona this morning. Secretary Cardona and I shared experience and knowledge in respect of wellbeing, inclusion, equality, and the intrinsic role of schools in their community. I acknowledge the deep interest which Secretary Cardona and his team have in all interests pertaining to Ireland.

“The theme of the two day committee centres on inclusion in education which is an area that we have placed a major importance on in our education system here in Ireland. There is great wisdom in the collective, and I look forward to having the opportunity to share experiences with Ministerial colleagues in this forum.”

Minister Foley will also hold bilateral engagements in Paris with Finnish Minister for Education, Li Andersson and Minister Gordon Wyant, Minister of Advanced Education, Saskatchewan, and Chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada.

ENDS