Ireland’s Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027

The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, developed by Ireland’s Department of Education, sets forth a comprehensive and forward-looking framework to guide the integration of digital technologies across the primary and post-primary education system. This strategy builds upon the foundation laid by the previous strategy for 2015–2020, expanding its ambition to reflect the rapid evolution of digital tools, the learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emerging needs of learners and educators alike.

Its primary purpose is to ensure that every learner in Ireland’s school system is empowered to develop essential digital competences and engage meaningfully with technology in their educational journey. The strategy places a strong emphasis on inclusiveness, equity, and learner wellbeing, while also acknowledging the vital roles of teachers, school leaders, and policy-makers in making digital transformation a reality.

The scope of the strategy encompasses every aspect of teaching, learning, and assessment, as well as the supporting infrastructure, research, leadership, and policy environment. It aligns with several key national and European frameworks, including the EU Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027 and Harnessing Digital: The Digital Ireland Framework. Through these alignments, the strategy ensures that Ireland’s school system contributes to and benefits from international developments in digital education.

The strategy is structured around three interconnected pillars that reflect the key components required to embed digital technologies in a sustainable, inclusive, and effective way:

1. supporting the embedding of digital technologies in teaching, learning, and assessment
2. strengthening digital technology infrastructure
3. enabling future-oriented policy, research, and digital leadership

These pillars are not separate domains but overlapping spheres of action. Their implementation is informed by extensive consultation with stakeholders, including students, teachers, principals, parents, industry partners, and educational bodies.

Vision of the strategy

The vision articulated in this strategy is clear and inclusive: to empower all schools to harness the opportunities of digital transformation and build an effective digital education ecosystem. This is to be achieved by supporting learners to become digitally competent, critically engaged, and active global citizens, capable of thriving in an interconnected digital world.

Goals of the digital strategy

• Empower schools to harness the opportunities of digital transformation
• Build digital competence in all learners so they can thrive as global citizens
• Support equity and inclusion through digital education
• Develop a high-performing digital education ecosystem
• Ensure all educators are confident and competent in the use of technology
• Align national efforts with European and international digital education goals

Focus areas of the strategy

• Integration of digital technology into all stages of teaching, learning, and assessment
• Professional learning for teachers and school leaders in digital competence
• Investment in digital infrastructure and broadband connectivity
• Safe, ethical, and inclusive use of digital tools by all learners
• Strong policy leadership informed by research and international best practice
• Ongoing stakeholder engagement and transparent evaluation processes