Menu
28/09/2011
Plans For NI Schools Shelved
Plans to build up to 52 schools in Northern Ireland have been abandoned.
The beleaguered construction sector has been disappointed after the Stormont Sinn Fein Minister for Education, John O'Dowd said plans for new schools will be shelved - but at the same time refused to say which ones.
He said under-enrolment and the 85,000 'effective empty desks' meant the current situation was not viable.
At present there are proposals to rebuild 52 schools at a cost of some £500m, while there are an additional 100 planned capital projects costing several million pounds.
After his budget was cut by nearly £700m, the minister said plans to build schools would be tested against new criteria around enrolment figures and the standard of education on offer.
A capital budget of £1.165bn for the next four years had been expected but instead only £509m will be allocated. The shortfall is £656 million, which is close to the sum required to cover the capital projects.
There are currently 1200 schools in Northern Ireland however, under Mr O'Dowd's plans this could be reduced to 800.
Chairman of the Education Committee the DUP's Mervyn Storey said: "I have a concern the budget process is now going to be used as a means of insuring that instead of having 1200 schools we have 800 schools. It will result in teachers losing their jobs".
Meanwhile North Antrim MLA, and Sinn Fein Education Spokesperson, Daithí McKay has welcomed the Education Minister's statement on the future of the education system.
Mr McKay said that the way forward outlined by John O'Dowd is about effective modernisation and meeting the needs of the child, not the institution.
However, the Education Minister will face tough questions about his controversial education reforms at Stormont today after his officials said initial key strategic decisions are due to be made by the Minister by June next year.
See: Education Minister Threatens School Closures
(LB/BMcC)
The beleaguered construction sector has been disappointed after the Stormont Sinn Fein Minister for Education, John O'Dowd said plans for new schools will be shelved - but at the same time refused to say which ones.
He said under-enrolment and the 85,000 'effective empty desks' meant the current situation was not viable.
At present there are proposals to rebuild 52 schools at a cost of some £500m, while there are an additional 100 planned capital projects costing several million pounds.
After his budget was cut by nearly £700m, the minister said plans to build schools would be tested against new criteria around enrolment figures and the standard of education on offer.
A capital budget of £1.165bn for the next four years had been expected but instead only £509m will be allocated. The shortfall is £656 million, which is close to the sum required to cover the capital projects.
There are currently 1200 schools in Northern Ireland however, under Mr O'Dowd's plans this could be reduced to 800.
Chairman of the Education Committee the DUP's Mervyn Storey said: "I have a concern the budget process is now going to be used as a means of insuring that instead of having 1200 schools we have 800 schools. It will result in teachers losing their jobs".
Meanwhile North Antrim MLA, and Sinn Fein Education Spokesperson, Daithí McKay has welcomed the Education Minister's statement on the future of the education system.
Mr McKay said that the way forward outlined by John O'Dowd is about effective modernisation and meeting the needs of the child, not the institution.
However, the Education Minister will face tough questions about his controversial education reforms at Stormont today after his officials said initial key strategic decisions are due to be made by the Minister by June next year.
See: Education Minister Threatens School Closures
(LB/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 April 2002
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
13 September 2012
Cancer-Fighting Primary School Programme Gets Education Minister's Backing
We all know that sunburn, smoking and obesity are risk factors for cancer. So now, parents will be glad to hear that a leading cancer charity has launched an education package to encourage healthy lifestyles in children as young as three and four.
Cancer-Fighting Primary School Programme Gets Education Minister's Backing
We all know that sunburn, smoking and obesity are risk factors for cancer. So now, parents will be glad to hear that a leading cancer charity has launched an education package to encourage healthy lifestyles in children as young as three and four.
05 March 2009
Education Minister Drums Up Support For Integration
With over 18,000 children and young people being educated in integrated schools across Northern Ireland already, the sector has an important role to play.
Education Minister Drums Up Support For Integration
With over 18,000 children and young people being educated in integrated schools across Northern Ireland already, the sector has an important role to play.
27 September 2011
Education Minister Threatens School Closures
There's division this week over the Stormont Education Minister statement that he is determined to improve the quality of education - even if it means having to close a number of schools. On Monday, Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd ordered an immediate audit of every school, starting with post primaries.
Education Minister Threatens School Closures
There's division this week over the Stormont Education Minister statement that he is determined to improve the quality of education - even if it means having to close a number of schools. On Monday, Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd ordered an immediate audit of every school, starting with post primaries.
06 October 2009
Republic's Minority School Cuts Opposed
Cutbacks in non Catholic schools across the Irish Republic are being opposed. It has emerged that Protestants in the State are to 'take the fight' to the Daíl to try to halt cuts to school budgets.
Republic's Minority School Cuts Opposed
Cutbacks in non Catholic schools across the Irish Republic are being opposed. It has emerged that Protestants in the State are to 'take the fight' to the Daíl to try to halt cuts to school budgets.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
