The Church of Ireland Board of Education (Northern Ireland) welcomes the return to school of all pupils and staff in person. The Board wishes to express its concern at the cost-of-living crisis and the impact it is having on both families who struggle to afford the costs of equipping young people for school and also the impact on school running costs. This is particularly the case where the true picture of long-term funding has been disguised during the period of subsidy during the worst of the Covid pandemic.
Archbishop John McDowell, Chair of the Board of Education, added:
“The Board further applauds pupils who have taken public exams in schools in such difficult circumstances over the last couple of years and hopes that the exam system will return to normal as soon as possible, although realising that this will pose its own problems in terms of exam outcomes.
“The members of the Board continue to pray, and encourage others to pray, for all schools, teachers, staff, and students as we seek to work and advocate for the best experience for all in education.”
