Parents and guardians, as well as children, young people and school employees are invited to take part in a major Convention on Education this year.
The Department of Education has issued an invitation to a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for key stakeholders to help shape Ireland’s school system and the future of education in Ireland.
Applications opened December 11 and will close Friday, January 16.
The 2026 Convention on Education will comprise of 150 people across four groups: Children and young people (30 people aged 8-24); parents and guardians (30 people); school employees and early years educators (30 people); and education stakeholders (60 people).
The Convention will be chaired by Professor Anne Looney of Dublin City University and will meet four times over four weekends in 2026 to discuss key issues about the future of education.
The weekends selected for the meetings are March 21-22, 2026; May 9-10, 2026; September 26-27, 2026; and November 14-15, 2026.
Those chosen will be required to attend workshops and focus group events over Saturday and Sunday on the four specified weekends throughout 2026.
Accommodation and catering will be provided, as required, as well as travel expenses.
If a participant is aged 8-17, a parent or guardian must complete the expression of interest on their behalf and accompany them to the weekend meetings.
For more information, or to apply, click the following link.