Importance of funding for education highlighted

Members of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council’s senior management team met on Wednesday 18 December with DUP leader Arlene Foster MLA and Peter Weir MLA.

Controlled Schools’ Support Council’s senior management team with DUP leader Arlene Foster MLA and Peter Weir MLA

Speaking after the meeting, Barry Mulholland, CSSC Chief Executive said,

“I would like to thank Mrs Foster and Mr Weir for their time and for affording us the opportunity to highlight the serious challenges facing controlled schools and the wider education system in Northern Ireland. The meeting focused on the impact of the current underfunding of education.

"CSSC once again highlighted that there has been insufficient resource made available to the education system.  This is now resulting in extreme pressure on school budgets and essential support services. 

“During the discussion, it was also emphasised that a strategic approach was required to tackle the issue of underachievement of Protestant working class boys. This is a widely acknowledged cultural disparity which needs to be taken seriously and addressed.

“We were able to articulate the very real concerns of controlled school principals in terms of effective management of their schools in an increasingly complex and challenging financial environment. 

“A properly funded education system is essential to enable all our children and young people to realise their potential.

“Investment in our schools and our education system is an investment in the future of Northern Ireland.”

CSSC hopes to meet with other political parties over the coming days and weeks.

 

19 December 2019