CSSC Statement following the Northern Ireland Budget

The critical financial pressures facing education in NI are already starker than elsewhere in the United Kingdom.  Our concern is that the Secretary of State does not recognise that education in Northern Ireland (NI) is significantly underfunded. The impact this underfunding has on the lives of all our children and young people is lived each day by our school leaders and their staff.

Blue image with text saying CSSC Statement Northern Ireland Budget

We note that Barnett consequentials are being withdrawn which results in education in NI missing out on any increase in funding for schools linked to the recent £2.3bn increase in England. Again this further undervalues our children and young people in comparison to those in England.

CSSC supports all controlled schools in NI which include Nurseries, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Grammar Schools, Integrated Schools, Special Schools and Irish Medium Schools.   Today’s announcement will impact all of these schools as the Department of Education will have no choice but to continue to make difficult decisions as a result of the continuing shortfall in funding being made available to Education in NI.  

Over their school education our young people are being further undervalued in comparison to their compatriots in Scotland to the amount of £18,000.   Schools in NI must be provided with sufficient funding and services that values our children and young people equitably.

 

 

27 April 2023