Coleraine UTU General Secretary brands cuts as ‘savage’

Jacquie White, General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, said she feared the savings demanded of the EA by the Department of Education in the wake of Chris Heaton-Harris’s budget could damage the educational landscape here forever.

The former Millburn Primary School teacher was speaking after an extraordinary meeting called recently by the EA: “This is savage. We’ve been left reeling. The Department has demanded a savings plan of £100m from the EA by December 21. That in itself is ridiculous.

“What’s more concerning is the fact that some of our most vulnerable pupils are being left without any safety net as a result.

“We’ve been told that the areas safeguarded within those savings are to include Sure Start, Free School Meals, Extended Schools and School Transport. However, no mention has been made of protecting SEN.

“This is utterly disingenuous given the priority afforded SEN and the mental health needs of students following lockdown.

“It also fails to take any account of the high rates of mental illness experienced by families here as compared with other areas in the UK.

“The Department has, we’ve also been told, earmarked an additional £12m towards energy costs for schools but given the volatility of the market there’s no telling if this will be anywhere near adequate.

“I have absolutely no idea where the EA is expected to start making these savings and welcome the fact they have outlined their impossible situation to us in this meeting. We need more funding in education - not less!”