Education Minister, , has today unveiled a landmark
Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) Fund. The TPL Fund aims to
ensure all schools can access high-quality professional learning
providing schools with dedicated funding to support professional
development over a three-year period.
The £31 million investment will support the ongoing development
of teachers and school leaders across Northern Ireland.
The funding forms a key part of the
Department's TransformED Strategy launched in March
2025. The strategy sets out a clear vision for transforming
teaching and learning, with a strong emphasis on excellence,
equity and efficiency.
Announcing the funding, said: “Teachers are
backbone of our education system and their professional growth is
key to unlocking the capabilities of every child. The quality of
an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers.
This £31 million investment will empower throughout their
careers.
“The TPL Fund will help ensure that every teacher in
Northern Ireland has access to meaningful, high-quality
professional learning, enabling them to grow, collaborate and
lead in an ever-evolving educational landscape.”
The TPL Fund will support a wide range of professional learning
activities, including:
- Participation in courses leading to formal qualifications or
professional accreditation and certification;
- Funding for substitute cover to release teachers for
individual or collaborative learning;
- School-based and externally facilitated professional
development programmes;
- Mentoring and coaching;
- Participation in professional learning networks.
The Minister continued: “This is about embedding a
culture of continuous, career-long professional learning. The
TransformED strategy recognises that when teachers are supported
to develop their practice, pupils benefit.
“The TPL Fund will give schools the flexibility to choose
professional learning opportunities that best meets their needs
and those of their learners. I am confident this investment will
have a lasting, positive impact across our education
system.”
Notes to editors:
1. For more information on the TPL fund, visit https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/teacher-professional-learning-tpl-fund
2. The TPL Fund is a commitment outlined in the TransformED NI
Delivery Plan (published on 29 April 2025), which can be accessed
here.
