Schools in Northern Ireland are “almost in a crisis situation” over funding.
That’s the view of James Curran, head of Parkview Special School in Lisburn, near Belfast.
James Curran, principal of Parkview Special School: he says the funding shortage in Northern Ireland’s schools has become “untenable”
Curran said underfunding is affecting all schools in Northern Ireland, but particularly special schools.
The school population was rising, he said. Meanwhile, the range and complexity of issues students in special schools present had become more challenging.
Budget unchanged for years
Despite these difficulties, he said his budget has been unchanged for the past three to four years. His school caters for pupils with severe learning disabilities aged three to 19.
Curran was one of the signatories to a protest letter that all principals working in the post-primary education sector in the province signed.
They sent the letter to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Northern Ireland’s Department for Education and the Education Authority.
Lack of funding impacting quality of education
It complains that the lack of funding is impacting the quality of education.
Curran said special schools have always prided themselves on “providing the highest quality of education” and ensuring every child’s needs are met.
But he said this is “becoming untenable and impossible to deliver” with “reduced finances”.
Closing or merging seven schools
This year it emerged that Northern Ireland’s Education Authority is plotting a major reorganisation of Belfast’s special schools.
This strategy involves closing or merging seven out of its 10 schools.
Curran said education needs restructuring, but there should have been more consultation with parents.
Gavin Boyd is the chief executive of Northern Ireland’s Education Authority. He said the focus must be on “working together to transform” education.
Boyd said a new “cost-effective and sustainable” model is needed that ensures children “can be the best that they can be”.
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Published: 25 June 2018
