01 April 2005
At least 25 members of Northern Ireland's regional education and library boards have resigned in protest at cuts implemented after a tough financial settlement from the Department of Education.
In a series of board meetings, the ELBs approved service cuts involving the closure of libraries, fewer classroom assistants, less home tuition for sick pupils and savings from school buses, music teaching, children's psychology support and supply teaching cover.
A joint statement by the ELBs claimed that they were suffering a collective shortfall in the new financial year of £25m–£30m. They said that while the DoE had increased its financial allocation by 9%, the real value of this was between 1% and 2.5% when the pay settlement and increased pension contributions were taken into account. This was insufficient to meet the costs of inflation, school amalgamations, additional special educational support and cost increases in transport and maintenance.
Sinn Fein and SDLP councillors on boards resigned in protest after the cuts were approved. Western ELB chair Harry Mullan said: 'The scheme [of cuts] will undoubtedly impact on the quality of the learning and teaching experience at the heart of the classroom, for children, teachers, schools and the wider WELB educational community.'
Minister in charge Barry Gardiner said that the government was spending 54% more than six years ago. He questioned why board members had not resigned then.
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