" The brief for the Education Strategy focused on the age group of 4 to 18 years of age while recognising that early childhood development and the capacity of parents are the foundations upon which all further investment are built. Therefore the Education Strategy proposes an integrated approach and related structures which involve a wide range of sectors with a view to actively integrating their ongoing contribution, strategies and programmes.

The overall goal of the proposed education strategy is to put in place an integrated set of actions which support and enable both families and educators to get it right first time, in other words to enable each child to achieve his or her social and educational potential at each phase of their natural development.

Following an extensive consultation exercise an Education Strategy and Plan of Action were developed building on seven pillars for action which emerged from the process:

• Get it right first time
• Progression interventions
• Never give up
• Build on success
• An integrated approach
• Themes for excellence
• Living the Dream "