Visionary shift in education policy

The recent announcement by Ministers Deenihan and Quinn in respect of the Charter Agreement between their respective departments represents a truly visionary shift in Government policy towards the Arts and Education.

The charter itself, and its impressively small and experienced implementation group, give us a tangible hope of fulfilling the promise that was contained in Ciarán Benson’s report on The Place Of The Arts In Irish Education back in 1979 – The Year of the Child.

The ministers attest that creativity must be placed at the heart of our future as a society and they deduce that placing the arts at the core of our education system will be a significant driver in achieving this imperative.

After 33 years of waiting, I believe that the courage and conviction of this decision will begin to break the vicious circle of cultural neglect which has stunted the development of generations of Irish children.

The ministers deserve to be applauded and supported in the roll-out of this initiative.

Arthur Lappin

Acting Director The Ark Cultural Centre for Children

Temple Bar

Dublin 2