Teacher education in Northern Ireland: reasons to be cheerful or a ‘Wicked Problem’?

This paper provides a critical reflection on teacher education and professional development in Northern Ireland between 2003 and 2018. It argues that whilst there is much about teacher education in Northern Ireland that is to be commended, the unique socio-historical, political and cultural context within which it operates may be considered as a ‘Wicked Problem’ which currently mitigates the potential to develop the teaching profession to best effect. Two key issues which highlight the Wicked Problem are addressed: the extended process of teacher education review; and a focus on the infrastructure of the system. The paper concludes by suggesting that future policy priorities need to value and promote existing strengths and cohere around the new approach to ‘Shared Education’ and the ‘Learning Leaders Strategy’ in order to build a mature system of teacher education to meet the challenges of a changing Northern Ireland.