AN independent review of the north's fractured education system will begin in the summer.
The Department of Education has launched a competition to appoint a chairperson, vice chairperson and three members of the Independent Review of Education Panel.
The establishment of an external, independent review was a commitment in the New Decade, New Approach deal.
It recognised while the north has a diversity of school types, each with a distinctive ethos and values, this was "not sustainable".
Parties acknowledged progress made in developing new models of sharing, cooperation and integration and agreed there was a desire to build on this as a basis for delivering long term improvements in
the quality, equity and sustainability.
The review's focus is on securing greater efficiency in costs, raising standards, access to the curriculum for all pupils, and the prospects of moving towards a single system.
Panel members will work 90 days over an 18 month period with the chair receiving £500 a day, vice chair £375 and members £250.
They will start in the summer and publish a final report within 18 months.
The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) said the system should bring children, parents, staff and governors from Catholic and Protestant traditions, as well as those of other faiths or none and of other cultures, together.
In a position paper, it said the segregated nature of the system must not be the accepted social norm.
"A reformed education system is an essential ingredient for an economically prosperous, socially harmonious and truly reconciled Northern Ireland. We believe that educating all children together is an essential part of the reconciliation process and of building a society that celebrates respect, understanding and friendships across traditional divides."
